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Type: Articles
Published: 2011-09-19
Page range: 33–39
Abstract views: 44
PDF downloaded: 1

The Little Lichen Dragon—an extraordinary katydid from the Ecuadorian Andes (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Phaneropterinae, Dysoniini)

División Entomología, Museo de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque s/N°, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
Orthoptera Acoustic monitoring altitudinal distribution bioacoustics camouflage Ecuador Lichenodraculus gen. nov. lichen oligophagy tropical montane rainforest wind mimicry

Abstract

Lichenodraculus matti gen. et sp. nov. is described, along with its conspicuous diurnal calling song and some aspects of its interesting ecology and life history. The song allowed a complete acoustic assessment of the altitudinal distribution of this otherwise very cryptic canopy-dwelling insect. The nymph perfectly mimics epiphytic lichens growing in the same elevation range, and apparently the downside of this camouflage is a strictly lichenous diet.

References

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