Comparative Morphology of the Extrinsic and Intrinsic Leg Musculature in Dictyoptera (Insecta: Blattodea, Mantodea).

ABSTRACT: Insect legs, as primarily locomotory devices, can show a tremendous variety of morphological modifications providing a multitude of usages. The prehensile raptorial forelegs of praying mantises (Mantodea) are a prominent example of true multifunctionality since they are used for walking while being efficient prey-capturing and grasping devices. Although being mostly generalist arthropod predators, various morphological adaptations due to different environmental conditions occur across Mantodea. Recently, the general mantodean morphology, and particularly their raptorial forelegs, received an increased interest. Yet, knowledge about the evolutionary transition from walking to prey-grasping legs is still scarce. From evolutionary and functional perspectives, the question arises: what changes

SUBMITTER: Baumler F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11625980 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature