Litaneutria Saussure, 1892

Agudelo, Antonio A. & Rivera, Julio, 2015, Some taxonomic and nomenclatural changes in American Mantodea (Insecta, Dictyoptera) — Part I, Zootaxa 3936 (3), pp. 335-356 : 340-342

Litaneutria Saussure, 1892

Examination of the holotypes of Tithrone corseuli Jantsch, 1986 ( Fig. 4 a–c) and Tithrone clauseni Jantsch, 1995 ( Fig. 4 d–g), reveals them to be referable to Litaneutria Saussure. The holotype of corseuli exhibits a greenish coloration whereas those of clauseni are more greyish brown. The metathoracic wings of both types exhibit a dark spot in the anal area but the same exhibits different degrees of pigmentation ( clauseni is darker). We also examined the genitalia of the holotype of corseuli , and the holotype and one paratype of clauseni from California, USA. The genitalia of clauseni are glued to a cardboard; although this means of preservation is not done the most appropriate way, the genitalia were distinct enough to allow observation. We did not observe any significant differences in the conformation of the phallomeres among these specimens. Beier (1935), Ehrmann (2002) and Otte & Spearman (2005) all listed seven species in Litaneutria . However, Hebard (1935) had already considered L. minor (Scudder, 1872) , the “agile ground mantis ”, as the only valid species (see also Vickery & Kevan, 1983), although exhibiting considerable morphological variation across its range. Litaneutria minor is an open ground/low vegetation dweller ( Gurney, 1950), occurring in dry habitats along most of western North America, from Southern British Columbia in Canada ( Vickery & Kevan 1983; Cannings, 1987) south to Baja California and San Luis Potosi in Central Mexico ( Hebard 1932 [as L. ocularis ] 1935; Battiston et al. 2005). Two color morphs (green and brown) occur ( Cannings 1987). Hebard (1935) also suggested that some “races” (i.e. subspecies) could eventually be recognized, at least in southern California. This later question needs to be addressed in the future after the examination of representative populations to include the whole species’ range. The specimens studied by Jantsch, from Arizona and California, fall within the natural distribution of L. minor as mentioned above. Therefore, we here consider both Jantsch’s species as new synonyms of L. minor . Summarizing:

Litaneutria minor (Scudder, 1872)

= Tithrone corseuli Jantsch, 1986 , n. syn. = Tithrone clauseni Jantsch, 1995 , n. syn.

The original description of T. clauseni included 9 paratypes from USA localities whose particulars were not mentioned in the original description (localities given simply as Arizona and California). Label data of the two male paratypes examined is provided in the annex.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Holotype ♂ of Tithrone corseuli (now Litaneutria minor) from Kern County, California, US (INPA): a) frontal view of head; b) dorsal habitus; c) holotype labels. Holotype ♂ Tithrone clauseni (now Litaneutria minor) from Tucson, Texas, US (UMSP): d) dorsal habitus e) frontal view of head; f) dorsal view of pronotum; g) holotype labels. All scales = 0.5 mm (except Fig. 4 d = 1 mm).