Abstract
A new species of dwarf mantis, Ameles serpentiscauda sp. nov. It is described as endemic to Sardinia (Italy). This taxon displays highly elaborate courtship behavior, characterized by coordinated movements of the abdomen, cerci, and terminals, which is reported here for the first time and compared with known behavioral traits in the genus. ameles. An integrative framework has been used, combining these ethological data with detailed morphology and molecular phylogenetics. This latter approach places A. serpentiscauda as the sister taxon of A. andreae, despite the pronounced divergence in wing morphology. This finding underscores the lability of wing development within Amelini, contrary to historical taxonomic assumptions. Behavioral grouping further supported the close relationship between A. serpentiscauda and Andreahighlighting a possible phylogenetic signal in courtship displays. However, comparisons of distance matrices and linear models reveal that neither morphology nor phylogeny alone reliably predicts behavioral divergence, suggesting evidence of convergent adaptation. The discovery of complex and idiosyncratic behavior in A. serpentiscauda reveals an unexpected communicative capacity within the solitary Mantodea. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that ethological traits possess untapped potential as taxonomic characters, but should be approached with caution, as they may reflect repeated adaptations, rather than shared ancestry.
Keywords: amelescourtship, behavior, phylogeny, ethology, morphology
#Amelidae #reveals #distinctive #mating #behavior #complex #communication #patterns
