摘要:

The defensive behaviour of 25 species of praying mantids from Ghana is described. All have camouflage as the primary defence mechanism, either a general resemblance to vegetation, or a specific resemblance to bark, sticks, leaves or grass. Secondary defence mechanisms include running, flying, thanatosis, secretion of fluid from the mouth, startle display and flash colouration. The early instars of several species are ant‐mimics. The femaleTaracbodes afzeliioften guards her ootheca and also the young nymphs, and she can distinguish her nymphs from intruding ants which are attacked. Some mantids have a green/brown polymorphism and there is evidence that the frequencies of the two forms vary seasonally. Other mantids are stick, grass or bark mimics, and the possible ways in which the adaptations of these forms have evolved are outlined. The startle display is probably a bluff which protects the mantid to some extent from avian predators. It does not appear to be directed against predaceous mammals. A curious “boxing display” is described fromOxypilus, AnasigerpesandCatasigerpes.It probably functions to space out individuals, not to discourage attacks from predators. The occurrence of this display is used as taxonomic evidence for the close relationship of these three g

ISSN:0024-4082    

DOI:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1972.tb00771.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1972

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0024-4082    

DOI:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1972.tb00772.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1972

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Descriptions from life are given of four species of dendronotoid nudibranchs.Doto yongeisp. nov. is the first record of the Dotoidae from Queensland, and only the second record from Australia.Hancockia burnisp. nov. represents the first record of the Hancockiidae from the western Pacific Ocean;Hancockiais the only dendronotoid genus to possess cnidosacs.Marionia pustulosaOdhner, 1936 (Tritoniidae) is described from Queensland for the first time since its original capture. A remarkable dwarf species of the Fimbriidae,Melibe australis(Angas, 1864), is redescribed from Long Reef, N.S.W., close to the type locality in Sydney Harbour.The paper concludes with a list of the dendronotoid species known from Australian waters.

ISSN:0024-4082    

DOI:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1972.tb00773.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1972

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Ephippia of four maerothricid cladocerans are described, that ofOpbryoxus gracilis(perhaps the most primitive anomopod ephippium) for the first time. All are attached to substrata, but each in a different way, in a manner that must inhibit rather than encourage dispersal. Notwithstanding the drought‐resistant properties of the eggs of at least two of these species, it has evidently been a more successful evolutionary stratagem to ensure continuity of an already established colony than to face the hazards of dispersal in the dried condition. Although proven only forStreblocerus serricaudatusit is almost certain that drying of the resting eggs is not obligatory before hatching for any of these species. Hatching of the resting eggs ofS. serricaudatusandAcantholeberis curvirostrisis describe

ISSN:0024-4082    

DOI:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1972.tb00774.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1972

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The egg‐laying habits of the West African bush‐cricket(Euthypora acutipennisKarsch) are described. In addition, from a population of females bred in the laboratory, the longevity of the species has been determi

ISSN:0024-4082    

DOI:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1972.tb00775.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1972

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0024-4082    

DOI:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1972.tb00771a.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1972

数据来源: WILEY