Heteronemiidae

Definition

A family of walkingsticks (order Phasmatodea) comprising approximately 14 genera and at least 80 described species. Members of this family are characterized by their stick-like camouflage morphology and are distributed primarily in the Americas. The family was established by Rehn in 1904 and represents one of the major lineages within the diverse phasmid radiation.

Etymology

From Greek heteros (other, different) + nema (thread, filament), referring to distinctive thread-like or filamentous characteristics of the antennae or body form in this group

Example

The genus Heteronemia, the type genus of Heteronemiidae, includes species with notably elongated antennae that exceed body length, a trait used to distinguish them from related pseudophasmatid walkingsticks.

Related Terms

• Phasmatodea
• Pseudophasmatidae
• Phasmatidae
• walkingstick
• phasmatid
• cryptic morphology
• neotropical phasmids

Usage Notes

Heteronemiidae is one of several families historically grouped within 'Phasmatidae' sensu lato; modern phylogenetic studies have supported its elevation to family rank. The family is primarily Neotropical in distribution. Specialists distinguish Heteronemiidae from Pseudophasmatidae by subtle characters of the thoracic structure and male genitalia. The spelling 'Heteronemiidae' (not 'Heteronemidae') reflects the stem of the type genus Heteronemia.