Paraoxypilus armatus Giglio-Tos, 1913

Milledge, Graham A., 2024, Review of the genera Glabromantis, Paraoxypilus, and Phthersigena (Mantodea: Nanomantidae: Fulciniinae), Records of the Australian Museum 76 (2), pp. 69-103 : 72-73

Paraoxypilus armatus Giglio-Tos, 1913

Figs. 3C, F ; 7A–F ; 16A–B ; 19B

Paraoxypilus armatus Giglio-Tos, 1913: 5 .

Type material. Not examined.

Material examined. Queensland. 1♀, Collinsville , 22 May 1974, A.A. Lazer . 1♀, Marbuiag Island, Torres Strait , 1926, J. Dorne, K54236 (both AM) . 1♀, Annan R ., 3km SW of Black Mountain, near Cooktown , 15°41'S 145°12'E, 26–27 Apr 1981, D.C.F. Rentz (w) . 1♀, Batavia Downs , 12°40'S 142°39'E, 22 Jun–23 Aug 1992, P. Zborowski & J. Cardale (w) . 1♀, 4km E of Batavia Downs , 12°39'S 142°42'E, 22 Jun–23 Aug 1992, P. Zborowski & J. Cardale (w) . 1♂, 10km SE of Black Mtn Rd, on Toll Road ( Quaid Rd ), 16°35'39.49"S 145°27'03.86"E, 29 May 2011, D.C.F. Rentz & B. Richardson . 1♀, Cockatoo Ck. Xing , 17km NW of Heathlands, 11°39'S 142°27'E, 1–21 Mar 1992, P. Feehney (w) . 1♂, Julatten , 22 Jan 1995, B.P. Moore . 1♀, 3km NE of Mt Webb, near Cooktown , 15°03'S 145°09E, 3 Oct 1980, T . A. Weir & R .A. Barrett. 1♀, Pascoe R ., 16 Jul 1986, D.C.F. Rentz (all ANIC) .

Northern Territory. 5♂, Borroloola , 16°04'S 136°18'E, 22 Dec 1991, M.S. & B.J. Moulds . 1♂, Darwin , Jan 1939, M. Kamper ( AM) . 2♀, Cooinda , ca. 19km SW of Mt Cahill, 7–8 Sep 1982, H.B. Gill & J.C. Wombey (w) . 1♂, Darwin ( Rapid Creek ), 10 Mar 1972, B.C.Abbey . 1♂, Darwin , 10 Apr 1972, G.A. Silsby . 1♂, Darwin , 22 May 1972, B.C.Abbey . 1♂, Darwin , 25 Apr 1972, B.C.Abbey . 1♂, 1♀, Deaf Adder Gorge , 15 Oct 1972, E.F. Reik . 1♂, Goose Lagoon , 11km SSW of Borroloola, 16°10'S 136°15'E, 31 Oct 1975, M.S. Upton . 1♂, Goose Lagoon , 11km SSW of Borroloola, 16°10'S 136°15'E, 17 Apr 1976, Key, Balderson et al . 1♂, Tindal , 14°31'S 132°22'E, 1–20 Dec 1967, W.J.M.Vestjens . 1♀, Urralugoorwa Waterhole , 24km ESE of Munmarlary H.S., Mar 1983, H.B. Gill & J.C. Wombey (w) (all ANIC) .

Diagnosis. Paraoxypilus armatus can be separated from other species in the genus by the possession of distinct par-ocular spines and pointed vertical apophyses on the head and lack of a contrasting colour pattern on the inner face of the foreleg.

Description. Body colour yellow brown or brown, peppered with slightly darker spots. Head ( Fig. 7A–B ) with vertical apophyses prominent, pointed and lightly tuberculate; par-ocular spines pronounced; ocelli at base of short, pointed projections; frontal shield with subantennal ridge lacking projections.

Prozone of thorax ( Fig. 7C–D ) tuberculate with low diagonal ridge either side of carina; metazone anteriorly tuberculate with two pairs of spiny projections posterior to saddle groove, second pair more prominent; median carina distinct and undulating with several large triangular projections in female, small projections in male; pronotal margin spinose, expanded and produced into spine above coxal insertions; prosternum pale with some darker markings and with well-developed pre-acetabular spine.

Wings ( Fig. 3A ) with tegmina translucent, peppered with a few darker spots and blotches; hindwings with tip similar colour to tegmina, remainder hyaline.

Forecoxa ( Fig. 7E–F ) with 8–9 long spines interspersed with smaller spines on anterior margin, posterior margin with double row of numerous fine teeth; inner face with scattered small tubercles on distal half and a row of hirsute tubercles near coxal base posteriorly, colour pale with some darker pigment around tubercles; outer face divided by strong longitudinal dentate ridge, similar in colour to rest of body. Inner face of fore femur ( Fig. 7E–F ) pale with a few slightly darker markings, femoral brush somewhat raised; outer face body coloured, with central longitudinal ridge. Inner face of fore tibia without distinctive colour markings. Fore tarsus with pale banding.

Dpr of male genitalia ( Fig. 18C–D ) with short narrow central process, moderately broad dextral process with shagreened tip and slight sinistral projection. Pa with single moderate, distinctly spinose, anterior projection and narrow sclerotized section between it and ml. Ml squat, stout and shagreened.

Immature stages. Juvenile stages and ootheca unknown.

Distribution and habits. Found in the northern parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory ( Fig. 19B ). Habits unknown but probably similar to other species in the genus.

Remarks. This species is distinctly more spinose and generally lighter in colour than others in the genus.

Figures

Figure 3. Preserved specimens of Paraoxypilus species. P. tasmaniensis, A. male, B. female.P. armatus, C. male, F. female. P. verreauxii, D. male, E. female.

Figure 7. Paraoxypilus armatus, frontal view of head,A. female, B. male, lateral view of head and pronotum, C. female, D. male, internal face of foreleg, E. female, F. male.

Figure 16. Male genitalia of Paraoxypilus species, left dorsal and ventral phallomeres. P. armatus, A. dorsal view, B. ventral view. P. verreauxii, C. dorsal view, D. ventral view. Scale bars = 0.5mm.

Figure 18. Male genitalia of Phthersigena and Glabromantis species. Ph. conspersa, left dorsal and ventral phallomeres, A. dorsal view, D. ventral view. G. nebulosa left and right dorsal and ventral phallomeres, B. dorsal view, E. ventral view. G. unicornis, left dorsal and ventral phallomeres, C. dorsal view, F. ventral view. Scale bars = 0.5mm.

Figure 19. Distribution maps for Paraoxypilus species, A. P. tasmaniensis, B. P. armatus.