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Issue: Vol. 5807 No. 1: 8 May 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-05-08
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5807.1.2
Page range: 45-84
Abstract views: 149
PDF downloaded: 6

Striking, slender, and secretly spinose: A revision of the snake mantises of the genus Kongobatha (Mantodea: Nanomantidae: Fulciniinae: Neomantini)

College of Science and Engineering; James Cook University; PO Box 6811; Cairns; QLD; 4870; Australia
College of Science and Engineering; James Cook University; PO Box 6811; Cairns; QLD; 4870; Australia
College of Science and Engineering; James Cook University; PO Box 6811; Cairns; QLD; 4870; Australia
College of Science and Engineering; James Cook University; PO Box 6811; Cairns; QLD; 4870; Australia
Mantodea mantis snake mantis Australia New Guinea taxonomy styli citizen science

Abstract

Kongobatha is one of the most commonly encountered of all Australian mantis genera, and yet despite this, very little is known about the taxonomy or biology of the genus. Described to include a single Australian species, K. diademata, the only subsequent work on the genus has been the description of a second species from New Guinea, K. papua. We here describe three additional species, K. spinosistyla Connors sp. nov., K. serpens Connors sp. nov., and K. rufilinea Connors sp. nov., and redescribe K. diademata and K. papua in detail, the latter of which is recorded from Australia for the first time. We also describe for the first time the unusual, heavily spinose styli of male Kongobatha. These are apparently unique among Mantodea as a whole, but their function remains unknown. 

 

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How to Cite

Connors, M.G., Yeeles, P., Lach, L. & Rentz, D.C. (2026) Striking, slender, and secretly spinose: A revision of the snake mantises of the genus Kongobatha (Mantodea: Nanomantidae: Fulciniinae: Neomantini). Zootaxa, 5807 (1), 45–84. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5807.1.2