Choeradodis
Encyclopedia
Choeradodis is a genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

 of praying mantises
Mantidae
Mantidae is the largest family of the order Mantodea, commonly known as praying mantises; most are tropical or subtropical. Historically, this was the only family in the order, and many references still use the term "mantid" to refer to any mantis. Technically, however, "mantid" refers only to...

 with common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...

s such as Shield Mantis, Hood Mantis (or Hooded Mantis), and Leaf Mantis (or Leafy Mantis) because of their extended, leaf-like thorax
Thorax
The thorax is a division of an animal's body that lies between the head and the abdomen.-In tetrapods:...

es.

Description

The distinguishing characteristic of Choreododis from which it takes its common names is a laterally expanded thorax
Thorax
The thorax is a division of an animal's body that lies between the head and the abdomen.-In tetrapods:...

. This adaptation for the purpose of camouflage
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...

, as well as a rounded wing case
Insect flight
Insects are the only group of invertebrates known to have evolved flight. Insects possess some remarkable flight characteristics and abilities, still far superior to attempts by humans to replicate their capabilities. Even our understanding of the aerodynamics of flexible, flapping wings and how...

 and a habit
Habit (biology)
Habit, when used in the context of biology, refers to the instinctive actions of animals and the natural tendencies of plants.In zoology, this term most often refers to specific behavioral characteristics, even when directly related to physiology...

 of staying relatively flattened, aid its leaf
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....

 mimicry.

Distribution

Choeradodis is widely distributed. In Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...

, members of this genus are found in the neotropic ecozones of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

. In the Americas, members of this genus dwell in the same climate zone from South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...

 to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

.

Species

Species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

 of Choeradodis include:
  • Choeradodis columbica
    Choeradodis columbica
    Choeradodis columbica, common name Columbian Shield Mantis, is a species of praying mantis native to Colombia. It was formerly categorized as Choeradodis columbica , as Choeradodis peruviana , and as Mantis rhombicollis ....

    (Columbian Shield Mantis )
  • Choeradodis rhombicollis
    Choeradodis rhombicollis
    Choeradodis rhombicollis, common name Peruvian Shield Mantis , is a species of praying mantis native to South America and found in Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guatemala, Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Surinam...

    (Peruvian Shield Mantis )
  • Choeradodis rhomboidea
    Choeradodis rhomboidea
    Choeradodis rhomboidea, common names Tropical Shield Mantis, Hood Mantis , and Leaf Mantis , is a species of praying mantis. A native of Central America, C. rhomboidea was formerly categorized as Choeradodis hyalina and as Mantis rhomboidea...

    (Tropical Shield Mantis, Hooded Mantis, Leaf Mantis
  • Choeradodis stalii
    Choeradodis stalii
    Choeradodis stalii is a species of praying mantis with common names that include Tropical Shield Mantis, Hooded Mantis, and Leaf Mantis. It is found in Brazil, Ecuador, French Guyana, Panama, and Peru....

    (Tropical Shield Mantis, Hooded Mantis, Leaf Mantis )
  • Choeradodis strumaria
    Choeradodis strumaria
    Choeradodis strumaria, common name Leaf Mantis, is a species of praying mantis native to South America....

    (Leaf Mantis )

See also

  • List of mantis genera and species
  • Leaf Mantis
    Leaf Mantis
    Leaf mantis is a common name for certain praying mantises including:*those often also called shield mantis, i.e. species within Choeradodis, Rhombodera, and similar genera...

  • Shield Mantis
    Shield Mantis
    Shield mantis, hood mantis and leaf mantis are common names for certain praying mantises with an extended thorax aiding it in camouflage and leaf mimicry. The terms are used for species in the following genera:*Asiadodis*Choeradodis*Rhombodera*Tamolanica...

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