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| Titanodula attenboroughi
Vermeersch, 2020
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Abstract
Recent taxonomic expeditions that were made possible within the framework of the Global
Taxonomic Initiative project “A step further in the entomodiversity of Vietnam” resulted in the
collecting of large and robust Hierodula-like praying mantises with a unique morphology of
the male genitalia for which the new genus Titanodula gen. nov. is created. All collected
specimens were very similar in external morphology, but an in-depth analysis of the male
genitalia revealed the existence of two distinct species in Vietnam. One species was matched
with Hierodula fruhstorferi Werner 1916, previously only known by the holotype female,
hereby transferring it to Titanodula gen. nov. The other species is new to science, endemic to
the Annamite mountain range in the Vietnamese Central Highlands, and is described as
Titanodula attenboroughi sp. nov. in tribute to Sir. David Attenborough. Additionally, two
other Oriental species, Hierodula grandis Saussure, 1870 and Hierodula formosana GiglioTos, 1912 are discussed and transferred to Titanodula gen. nov.
Keywords: Annamite mountains, Global Taxonomic Initiative, Hierodula, Vietnam
Taxonomy
Order Mantodea Burmeister, 1838
Family Mantidae Burmeister, 1838
Subfamily Hierodulinae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893
Genus Titanodula gen. nov.
Type species: Titanodula attenboroughi by present designation.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS. Titanodula gen. nov. can be distinguished from all other genera within Mantidae by the combination of the following characters:
1) Large and robust praying mantis.
2) Lower frons with two vertical margins within, interrupted in the middle, forming two small but distinct tubercles at its anterior margin.
3) Ventral coxal lobe darkened or black ventrad.
4) Darkened or black spots at the base of 2nd, 10th and 15th profemoral AvS.
5) All protarsal segments black anteriorly.
6) Male genitalia as described below.
ETYMOLOGY. The genus name is derived from the ‘Titans’ in Greek mythology, who were a
mythological race of giants, thus emphasizing the large size and strength of the species
belonging to this genus. The second part of the genus name “-dula” is a reference to the genus
Hierodula in which some species were previously described.
DISTRIBUTION. Titanodula gen. nov. has a confirmed presence in Bangladesh, Southern China,
Taiwan and Vietnam. It appears that the genus has a wide distribution across the Oriental region
but remains limited to suitable forested habitats, making these giant praying mantises
vulnerable to habitat loss and deforestation as a result of expanding human activities.
SPECIES INCLUDED:
Titanodula attenboroughi sp. nov., Titanodula formosana (Giglio-Tos, 1912) comb. nov., Titanodula fruhstorferi (Werner, 1916) comb. nov. and Titanodula grandis (Saussure, 1870) comb. nov.
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| Fig. 3. Titanodula attenboroughi gen. nov. et sp. nov., live photographs of holotype ♂ (A, B, C) and paratype ♀ [PT1] (D, E) at Kon Chu Rang N.R., VII. 2018. |
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| Fig. 1. Titanodula attenboroughi sp. nov., holotype ♂ (RBINS). A, habitus, dorsal view. B, habitus, ventral view. C, head, frontal view. D, left prothoracic leg, anterior view. C, D not to scale. |
Titanodula attenboroughi sp. nov.
DIAGNOSIS. Very large and robust praying mantis. Head triangular, antennae filiform. Long but
robust pronotum, with smooth dorsal surface. Pronotum very finely denticulate along the
margins of the prozone in female, without denticulations in the metazone, entirely smooth edges
in males. Spinal formula: F = 4DS/15AvS/4PvS; T = 13−14AvS/10PvS. Ratios ♂: MzL/PzL:
3.2; ♀: MzL/PzL: 2.9. With black spots on the anterior side of the profemora located at the base
of the 2nd, 10th and 15th anteroventral spine. Protarsus (all segments) entirely black on the
anterior side. Both sexes macropterous. Phalloid apophysis (afa) with two sclerotised processes,
anterior process (aafa) small and tubercle-shaped, broad and dome-like at the base with a
smaller rounded projection on top of it, located posteriorly from the middle. Posterior process
(pafa) spear-shaped, with weakly developed base, almost straight, long and heavily sclerotised,
projecting straight or slightly diagonally posteriad.
ETYMOLOGY. The species epithet is a patronym dedicated to Sir David Attenborough, one of
the world's most beloved naturalists, in acknowledgment for his life-long endeavours to
disseminate knowledge on all the beings that are part of the natural world and to advocate for
their protection and conservation.
DISTRIBUTION. Titanodula attenboroughi sp. nov. appears to be an endemic of undisturbed
forests in the Vietnamese Annamite mountains. However, forests in the known distribution area
are highly threatened and continue to disappear at an alarming rate. More distribution data are
needed to evaluate the conservation status according to the IUCN Red Lists assessment
guidelines, in the meanwhile the species is considered DD (Data Deficient).
Xavier H.C. Vermeersch. 2020. Titanodula gen. nov., A New Genus of Giant Oriental Praying Mantises (Mantodea: Mantidae: Hierodulinae). Belgian Journal of Entomology. 100: 1–18.
