Litaneutria elongata
Anderson, 2018
Litaneutria elongata is a ground described by Anderson in 2018. As a member of the Litaneutria, it belongs to a group of (running) that actively pursue rather than employing the ambush strategy typical of most mantids. The genus is represented in the United States by multiple species, with members characterized by rounded and cryptic or gray coloration adapted to arid environments. This species is part of the Amelidae within the .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Litaneutria elongata: /ˌlɪtəˈnʊtriə ˌiːlɒŋˈɡɑːtə/
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Identification
-level identification within Litaneutria requires examination of specific morphological characters. The Litaneutria is distinguished from the related ground genus Yersiniops by its rounded (Yersiniops has pointed, "horned" eye tops) and generally browner coloration (Yersiniops tends toward gray). Litaneutria elongata was described in 2018, distinguishing it from such as L. minor and L. obscura through presumably more elongate body proportions, though specific diagnostic features for this species are not detailed in available sources.
Images
Habitat
Based on -level , in Litaneutria inhabit desert and grassland . The related species L. minor occurs in shortgrass prairie and similar open, arid to semi-arid environments with sparse vegetation. Ground require open ground for their hunting strategy.
Distribution
The precise distribution of Litaneutria elongata is not documented in available sources. The Litaneutria occurs across the western United States and into southwestern Canada. Congeneric have specific ranges: L. minor is broadly distributed throughout the Great Plains and western U.S., while L. obscura is restricted to the desert southwest.
Behavior
As a member of Litaneutria, this likely exhibits the predatory characteristic of ground : actively running down rather than ambushing from vegetation. Related species are known to hop over obstacles and dart swiftly through sparse vegetation when pursuing prey or evading .
Similar Taxa
- Litaneutria minorThe most widespread in the Great Plains and western U.S.; distinguished by specific morphological characters and earlier description date (not 2018)
- Litaneutria obscuraRestricted to the desert southwest; another with overlapping geographic potential but distinct range
- Yersiniops spp.Related ground with similar and preferences, distinguished by pointed ("horned") tops and grayer coloration
More Details
Taxonomic recency
Litaneutria elongata was described in 2018 by Anderson, making it one of the more recently described in this . Earlier literature on U.S. ground may not reference this species, and some sources synonymized additional putative species under L. minor following Hebard's 1935 revision.