DNA barcoding has gained increased recognition as a molecular tool for species identification in various groups of organisms. In this preliminary study, we tested the efficacy of a 615-bp fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) as a DNA barcode in the medically important family Simuliidae, or black flies. A total of 65 (25%) morphologically distinct species and sibling species in species complexes of the 255 recognized Nearctic black fly species were used to create a preliminary barcode profile for the family. Genetic divergence among congeners averaged 14.93% (range 2.83-15.33%), whereas intraspecific genetic divergence between morphologically distinct species averaged 0.72% (range 0-3.84%). DNA barcodes correctly identified nearly 100% of the morphologically distinct species (87% of the total sampled taxa), whereas in species complexes (13% of the sampled taxa) maximum values of divergence were comparatively higher (max. 4.58-6.5%), indicating cryptic diversity. The existence of sibling species in Prosimulium travisi and P. neomacropyga was also demonstrated, thus confirming previous cytological evidence about the existence of such cryptic diversity in these two taxa. We conclude that DNA barcoding is an effective method for species identification and discovery of cryptic diversity in black flies.

This study provides a comprehensive review of historical morphological nomenclature used for praying mantis (Mantodea) morphology, which includes citations, original use, and assignment of homology. All referenced structures across historical works correspond to a proposed standard term for use in all subsequent works pertaining to praying mantis morphology and systematics. The new standards are presented with a verbal description in a glossary as well as indicated on illustrations and images. In the vast majority of cases, originally used terms were adopted as the new standard. In addition, historical morphological topographical homology conjectures are considered with discussion on modern interpretations. A new standardized formulation to present foreleg femoral and tibial spines is proposed for clarity based on previous works. In addition, descriptions for methods of collection, curation, genital complex dissection, and labeling are provided to aid in the proper preservation and storage of specimens for longevity and ease of study. Due to the lack of consistent linear morphometric measurement practices in the literature, we have proposed a series of measurements for taxonomic and morphological research. These measurements are presented with figures to provide visual aids with homologous landmarks to ensure compatibility and comparability across the Order. Finally, our proposed method of pinning mantises is presented with a photographical example as well as a video tutorial available at http://mantodearesearch.com.

We perform phylogenetic analyses of the 'polymorphic earless praying mantises', a heterogeneous assemblage comprising c. 55% of mantodean diversity in the Neotropics. Bayesian and maximum-likelihood were implemented on a DNA dataset of 9949 aligned nucleic acid characters comprising ten mitochondrial and nuclear genes. Our analyses largely resolved congruent relationships with high levels of support for higher-level taxonomic groups, but revealed extensive inconsistencies between the resolved topology and morphology-based classification systems. The polymorphic earless praying mantises, now granted superfamily status as the Acanthopoidea stat.n., comprises 8 families, 15 subfamilies and 18 tribes. Our newly revised organization required the following taxonomic changes: (i) Thespidae sensu n., including subfamilies Pseudopogonogastrinae subfam.n., Pseudomiopteryginae sensu n., Bantiinae subfam.n., Miobantiinae sensu n. and Thespinae sensu n. (tribes Musoniellini trib.n. and Thespini sensu n.); (ii) Angelidae stat.n. et sensu n.; (iii) Coptopterygidae stat.n.; (iv) Liturgusidae sensu n.; (v) Photinaidae stat.n., including Macromantinae stat.n., Cardiopterinae stat.n., Photiomantinae subfam.n. and Photinainae sensu n. (tribes Microphotinini trib.n., Orthoderellini stat.n. and Photinaini sensu n.); (vi) Stenophyllidae stat.n.; (vii) Acontistidae stat.n.; and (viii) Acanthopidae sensu n. Our new system also resulted in the reassignment of various genera to new and existing higher-level taxa, the exclusion of old world genera otherwise traditionally classified among the Thespidae, Liturgusidae and Angelidae, the confirmation of Stenophylla Westwood as member of this clade, and the revalidation of Paradiabantia Piza stat.r. We provide diagnoses for all suprageneric taxa using external morphological characters and male genitalia. A key to higher-level groups is provided. We incorporate egg case structural variation as a novel approach for taxon delineation.This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid: zoobank.

This review presents a detailed account of taxonomic studies of praying mantids (Mantodea) from the Neotropical region. The current knowledge for each genus is presented along with a brief review of the advances in systematics for the order with emphasis on the Neotropical fauna. Additional comments on the limitations in taxonomic studies in mantids are also discussed.

Th e Neotropical lichen mimicking mantid genus Pseudopogonogaster Beier, 1942 is revisited and re-described. Th e examination of the type species, P. mirabilis Beier, 1942, the fi rst described species of this lineage, allowed us to determine that those species currently included in Pseudopogonogaster and Calopteromantis Terra, 1982 are all congeneric. As a result, the genus Calopteromantis is now considered to be a junior synonym of Pseudopogonogaster . Accordingly, Calopteromantis hebardi Terra, 1982 and Calopteromantis marulandae Salazar, 2002 are transferred to Pseudopogonogaster . Th e species Calopteromantis otongica Lombardo & Ayala, 1998 from Ecuador was also found to be a synonym of P. mirabilis . In addition, a new species from northwestern Peru, Pseudopogonogaster kanjaris , is described herein, thus constituting a new genus and species record for this country. Analysis of the distribution of the six recognized species of Pseudopogonogaster suggests that this genus is endemic to the mountain forests of Colombia, Ecuador and northern Peru and its members are specialized inhabitants of epiphytic vegetation, exhibiting unique morphological and chromatic adaptations to these habitats. Th e newly available information on Pseudopogonogaster also allowed to determine that Calopteromantis terrai Jantsch, 1994, described from Mato Grosso, Brazil, is actually a member of the genus Eumiopteryx Giglio-Tos, 1915 (Th espidae: Pseudomiopteriginae) and, thus, is transferred to this genus as E. terrai (Jantsch, 1994) comb.n. ResumenEl género Neotropical de mantis liquen, Pseudopogonogaster Beier, 1942, es reanalizado y redescrito. El estudio de la especie tipo, P. mirabilis Beier, 1942, la primera especie de este linaje en ser descrita, J. Rivera et al. / Insect Systematics & Evolution 42 (2011) 313-335 permitió determinar que aquellas especies incluidas en Pseudopogonogaster y Calopteromantis Terra, 1982 son todas cogenéricas. Como resultado, el género Calopteromantis es considerado un nuevo sinónimo de Pseudopogonogaster . De este modo, Calopteromantis hebardi Terra, 1982 y Calopteromantis marulandae Salazar, 2002 son transferidas a Pseudopogonogaster . La especie Calopteromantis otongica Lombardo & Ayala, 1998 de Ecuador es también sinonimizada con P. mirabilis . En adición, se describe Pseudopogonogaster kanjaris sp. n., del noroeste del Perú, constituyendo así un nuevo registro genérico y específi co para este país. El análisis de la distribución de las seis especies reconocidas de Pseudopogonogaster sugiere que este género es endémico de los bosques montanos de Colombia, Ecuador y norte del Perú, y cuyos miembros se especializan en habitar sobre vegetación epífi ta, mostrando adaptaciones morfológicas y cromáticas únicas para tal hábitat. El nuevo conocimiento disponible permitió determinar que Calopteromantis terrai Jantsch, 1994, descrita del Mato Grosso, Brasil, es en realidad un miembro del género Eumiopteryx Giglio-Tos, 1915 (Th espidae: Pseudomiopteriginae) por lo que es transferida a este último género ...

Multiple nomenclatural problems persist in mantodean taxonomy. This constitutes an important challenge for praying mantis systematics, its forthcoming development and future consolidation. In this first contribution, we attempt solving a number of issues involving mostly Neotropical praying mantis species described by Brazilian entomologists Paulo S. Terra, Cândido F. de Mello-Leitão, Salvador de Toledo Piza Junior and Lauro J. Jantsch. We provide evidence to justify the following nomenclatural changes. In Acanthopidae, Acontiothespis travassosi Jantsch, 1986 is a new synonym of Raptrix perspicua (F. 1787). Changes in Thespidae are: Emboicy Terra, 1982 is a new synonym of Chloromiopteryx Giglio-Tos, 1915, E. mirim Terra, 1982 is transferred to Chloromiopteryx as C. mirim (Terra, 1982) (new combination); Musoniola plurilobata Mello-Leitão, 1937 is transferred to Chloromiopteryx as C. plurilobata (Mello-Leitão, 1937) (new combination); Metathespis modesta Piza, 1968 is removed from synonymy with Chloromiopteryx thalassina (Burmeister, 1838) and considered valid as C. modesta (Piza, 1968) (new combination and status revalidated); Metathespis precaria Piza, 1968 is removed from synonymy with Chloromiopteryx thalassina (Burmeister, 1838) and considered a new synonym of Miobantia rustica (Fabricius, 1781); Eumiopteryx magna Jantsch, 1991 is transferred to Anamiopteryx as A. magna (Jantsch, 1991) (new combination). For Mantidae/Amelinae, Tithrone corseuli Jantsch, 1986 and T. clauseni Jantsch, 1995 are new synonyms of Litaneutria minor (Scudder, 1872); in Mantidae/Photininae Coptopteryx gigliotosi Piza, 1960 (non Werner, 1925), its replacement name Coptopteryx ermannoi Jantsch & Corseuil, 1988 and Paraphotina precaria Piza, 1966 (the latter currently placed within Coptopteryx) are all new synonyms of Coptopteryx argentina (Burmeister, 1838), whereas Brachypteromantis bonariensis Piza 1960 (currently placed among Coptopteryx) is a new synonym of Coptopteryx gayi (Blanchard, 1851); Tithrone major Piza, 1962 is transferred to Orthoderella as O. major (Piza, 1962) (new combination); Orthoderella brasiliensis Roy & Stiewe, 2011 is a new synonym of Orthoderella major (Piza, 1962); Tithrone catharinensis Piza, 1962 is a new synonym of Photina vitrea (Burmeister, 1838); Margaromantis Piza, 1982, Rehniella Lombardo, 1999, Colombiella Koçak & Kemal, 2008 and Lombardoa Özdikmen, 2008 are all new synonyms of Photiomantis Piza, 1968 (status revalidated); Metriomantis planicephala Rehn 1916 is transferred to Photiomantis as P. planicephala (Rehn, 1916) (new combination) and Photiomantis silvai Piza, 1968 is considered a new synonym of Photiomantis planicephala (Rehn, 1916);  Margaromantis nigrolineata Menezes & Bravo, 2015 is transferred to Photiomantis as P. nigrolineata (Menezes & Bravo, 2015) (new combination). In Mantidae/Vatinae, Uromantis amazonica Jantsch, 1985 and Uromantis paraensis Jantsch, 1985 (currently placed among Stagmomantis), are new synonyms of Chopardiella latipennis (Chopard, 1911), while Pseudovates hyalostigma ...

We present a preliminary checklist of the praying mantises (Insecta: Mantodea) of Peru. A total of 67 species are reported, nine of which constitute new records from that country. The following new nomenclatural procedures are introduced: Musoniella margharethae Battiston and Picciau, 2008 is transferred to Musonia as Musonia margharethae (Battiston and Picciau, 2008) (comb. n.), and Phyllovates brevicollis Orofino, Ippolito and Lombardo, 2006 is considered a new synonym (syn. n.) of Pseudovates peruviana (Rehn, 1911). A new genus, Piscomantis gen. n., is established to accommodate Galapagia peruana Beier, 1935, which is now referred to as Piscomantis peruana (Beier, 1935) (comb. n.). Ten species are removed from the Peruvian mantis fauna and two nomina nuda are proposed. An overview of the biogeography and ecology of Peruvian praying mantises is presented.

We present the description of a new genus and new species of praying mantis, Hondurantemna chespiritoi gen. n. & sp. n. This species of cryptic mantis, collected in National parks in Mexico and Honduras, remained unknown despite its considerable body size. Based on a phylogenetic analysis with molecular data and traditional morphological analysis, we place this new genus within Antemninae, a monotypic Mantidae subfamily. We update the subfamily concept for Antemninae and provide a key to the two genera. We describe the external morphology of immatures and adults of the new species as well as the genital complexes of both sexes and the ootheca of Antemna rapax. The observed morphological changes between immature and adult females suggests that the selection for an alternate strategy for crypsis is a response to size increase of the abdomen during development. Immatures exploit a stick/branch habitat based on their morphological appearance while adult females appear as a leaf to disguise the profile of the body.