Mantophasmatidae

Definition

A family of carnivorous, wingless insects endemic to southern Africa, constituting the sole family of the order (or suborder) Mantophasmatodea. Members are small to medium-sized, rock-dwelling predators with raptorial forelegs convergent with those of mantises, though they are phylogenetically distant. The group was described in 2002 following the discovery of living specimens in Namibia in 2001, representing a new insect order recognized in over a century. Mantophasmatidae are sister to Grylloblattidae (ice crawlers), together forming the clade Xenonomia within Polyneoptera.

Etymology

From Greek mantis (prophet, seer, alluding to the raptorial forelegs resembling those of mantids) + phasma (apparition, phantom, referring to their elusive, cryptic nature and recent discovery) + -idae (family suffix).

Example

Mantophasma zephyra, described from the Brandberg massif in Namibia, typifies Mantophasmatidae in its nocturnal foraging on rocky slopes and dependence on seasonal moisture for reproduction.

Related Terms

• Mantophasmatodea
• Grylloblattidae
• Xenonomia
• Polyneoptera
• Apterygote
• raptorial foreleg
• cryptic species

Usage Notes

The rank of Mantophasmatodea (order versus suborder of Notoptera) remains debated; some authorities unite Mantophasmatidae and Grylloblattidae in the order Notoptera. The common name 'heelwalkers' (Afrikaans: 'koringkrieke') refers to their habit of walking on the tarsi of their hind legs with tibiae elevated. All known species are restricted to Namibia and South Africa, primarily in montane or winter-rainfall regions.