Integrated taxonomy reveals a new praying mantis species of Phyllothelys Wood-Mason, 1876 (Mantodea, Hymenopodidae) from Yunnan, China

Abstract

The genus Phyllothelys Wood-Mason, 1876 (Mantodea, Hymenopodidae) includes 22 species, with China being a major diversity hotspot, hosting 15 species in four groups.A new species of this genus from Malipo, Yunnan, China, is described herein, namely Phyllothelys qingjinum sp. nov. A comprehensive taxonomic description, including geometric morphometric analysis, genetic distance and molecular phylogenetic analysis, were employed to illustrate its distinctiveness. This discovery fills a significant distribution gap for the P. werneri species group in southern Yunnan and emphasises the need for further exploration in this region.

Keywords

• Mantodea
• <i>Phyllothelys</i>
• new species
• taxono