Gratidiini Bragg, 1995

Hennemann, Frank H. & Conle, Oskar V., 2008, Revision of Oriental Phasmatodea: The tribe Pharnaciini Günther, 1953, including the description of the world's longest insect, and a survey of the family Phasmatidae Gray, 1835 with keys to the subfamilies and tribes (Phasmatodea: " Anareolatae ": Phasmatidae), Zootaxa 1906, pp. 1-316 : 49-50

Tribe Gratidiini Bragg, 1995

The tribe Gratidiini Bragg, 1995c (= Ramulini sensu Günther, 1953 ) was critically reviewed and re-diagnosed by Cliquennois (2004) who has shown it to be highly polyphyletic in its present recognition. Tilgner (2002) and Whiting et al. (2003) supposed parts of present Gratidiini were likely to be related to Clitumnini . Indeed three Oriental genera ( Parapachymorpha Brunner v. Wattenwy, 1893, Gongylopus Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907 and Cnipsomorpha Hennemann, Conle, Zhang & Liu, 2007 ) are here removed from Gratidiini and transferred to Clitumninae : Clitumnini (→ 5.2). Based on sperm ultrastructure, Baccetti (1987) concluded the genera Clonaria Stål, 1875 ( Pachymorphinae : Gratidiini ), Ramulus Saussure, 1862 ( Clitumninae : Clitumnini ) and Carausius Stål, 1875 (Lonchodinae) were closely related, which supports the assumption of Tilgner (2002) and Whiting et al. (2003).

Indeed, the very slender and stick-like body, very short median segment, unarmed legs, short antennae with a laterally dilated sapus and egg-structures, such as the increasingly elongated capsule and peripheral outer rim of the operculum in certain genera or the open internal micropylar plate with a median line (Figs. 57a & b) support close relationship between Gratidiini and Clitumnini . Moreover, the profemora are of a rather similar structure, being distinctly triangular with the two dorsal carinae nearing and the anterior carina raised, and the medioventral carina distinct but at best slightly displaced towards the anteroventral carina. The ♂♂ genital morphology of Gratidiini however differs considerably from members of Clitumnini . All representatives have a distinct , well developed and sclerotised external vomer and a simple anal segment which consists of a single dorsal plate. Often the anal segment has the posterior margin excavated or with one or two straight finger-like appendices. The cerci are more or less strongly elongated and often in-curving and specialized, being broadened or forked at the apex. In correation to the external vomer in ♂♂, ♀♀ usually have a ± distinct praeopercular organ on abdominal sternum VII. In contrast to Clitumnini several members of Gratidiini glue their grass-seed like eggs to a surface. Nevertheless, relationship with Clitumnini is likely but any confirmed decision on the systematic position of Gratidiini s. str. certainly deserves more comprehensive and detailed investigation of taxa and comparison with members of Clitumnini .

The centre of distribution of Gratidiini sensu stricto is Africa, with the highest diversity of taxa in eastern Africa. Representatives have dispersed as far north as the Mediterranean and as far east as the northern portions of the Oriental Region (Cliquennois, 2004: 13).