Mantis religiosa, also fisherwoman
Mantis religiosa, also fisherwoman
The praying mantises, commonly known as insect predators, have been observed occasionally feeding on vertebrates, such as small birds, lizards, frogs, newts, mice, snakes and turtles. For the most part, such cases have not been validated scientifically or have happened under circumstances induced and manipulated by humans.
That situation will change now, thanks to a pioneering study carried out by Roberto Battiston, of the Brenta Canal Museums in Valstagna, Italy; Rajesh Puttaswamaiah, of the Bat Conservation Foundation in India; and Nayak Manjunath, environmental conservationist from Gadag, India.
The team observed an adult male hunting and devouring small fish in a pond located in a private garden in Karnataka, India. Interestingly, the predator returned five days in a row and captured a total of nine fish (a minimum of two a day). To reach its prey, the insect walked on the leaves of water lilies and water cabbages that grew on the surface of the pond.
The fact that praying mantises hunt vertebrates outside laboratory cages confirms that a species of invertebrate is actually capable of exerting a relevant influence on a complete ecosystem by itself. In this case, a mantis feeds on fish, which in turn make it from aquatic insects.
A male praying mantis (Hierodula tenuidentata) eating a fish of the species Poecilia reticulata, starting with the tail, while it is still alive and breathing in the water. (Photo: Rajesh Puttaswamaiah, CC-BY 4.0)
In addition, the discovery questions previous information about the visual abilities of mantids. While the structure of their eyes clearly indicates that they have evolved to hunt in daylight, the male specimen studied proved to be an excellent hunter in the dark. The insect managed to capture the 9 fish during the sunset or at night.
Apart from those better visual abilities, mantis have apparently also developed impressive learning abilities. The researchers believe that the repetitive behavior observed in that mantis specimen may be the result of their individual experience. Sophisticated cognitive skills, on the other hand, could have allowed the mantis to develop its hunting strategies.
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SOURCE LINK ERESVIRAL.COM https://www.beviral.online
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