Tenodera sinensis

“Chinese mantis”

Figures 97, 98 (lateral, anterior, posterior); 99, 100 (dorsal, anterior, posterior); 101, 102 (ventral, anterior, posterior)

Plates 58 (lateral), 59 (dorsal), 60 (ventral)

DESCRIPTION: Pronotum, metathorax, and anterior portion of abdomen with air-filled spaces, likely alimentary canal and transient as not connected to tracheae (see fig. 103).

HEAD: Tracheae leading to appendages are labeled; however, the head of Tenodera features a complex network of intersecting tracheae and air sacs. Readers are encouraged to review the 3D models in the supplementary digital data.

THORAX: Thorax with numerous elongate, bandlike visceral tracheae throughout, often obscuring views. Exploration of 3D models in digital supplementary data is encouraged. T2-S positioned posterior to characteristically elongate pronotum, with four branches, crowded close together: T2-DB, T2-VB, H-DCT, H-VCT. T2-DB runs mediad and slightly dorsad, with split off to T2-AWL posteriad; T2-DB continues briefly before joining T1-DLT anteriad and T2-DLT posteriad in Y-shaped junction. T2-DLT running in shallow arc ventrad, with unusual condition of linking with T3-S via connection to T2-PL. T2-AWL arcing dorsally and posteriad, with T2-Wbr branching dorsad at apex of curve; T2-AWL continues as T2-AL, extending posteriad into midleg; T2-Wbr with dorsad T2-W-c-r branch, remaining T2-Wbr connecting to T2-PWL from T3-S. T2-VB short, running directly anteriad, bifurcating into T1-PL anteriad and T2-VLT posteriad; T2-VC likely present off T2-VLT; T1-PL extending through mesothorax and prothorax with ventral curve into foreleg at base of forecoxa. T2-VL branching close to origin of T2-VLT, extending straight through coxa into midleg. H-DCT beginning ventrad and H-VCT dorsad, opposite of usual arrangement; both tracheae extending directly anteriad, switching dorsoventrally to typical positions at anterior margin of mesothorax. (See Discussion section for homology assessment of these tracheae.) H-VCT with T1-AL running ventrad just anterior of dorsoventral H-DCT/H-VCT switch. T3-S with n connections: T3-DB, T3-AWL, T3-VB, T2-PWL. T3-DB mediad, curving dorsally and posteriad as T3-DLT, connecting directly to A2-S with no connection to A1-S; A1-DB absent. T3-AWL runs just lateral of T3-DB, arcing posteriad, with T3-Wbr branch; remaing T3-AWL continuing as T3-AL into hind leg. T3-Wbr with T3-W-c-r, continuing posteriad to connect to A1-S via T3-PWL. T3-VB runs ventrad and posteriad, connecting with A1-S via T3-VLT; T3-VL branching from T3-VLT close to T3-S. T2-PWL short, extending anteriad, splitting into T3-PL ventrad and T2-Wbr anteriorly. Metathorax with several networked visceral tracheal branches, especially along venter; most notable is T3-Ty for hearing. (Additional tracheae of unknown homology enter the legs, similar to Blattodea [roaches], which require further investigation.)

ABDOMEN: A1..8-S present and functional. A1-S connections atypical from remaing spiracles; A1-S with only two connections: T3-PWL and A1-VB. A1-DB absent; A1-MLT possible but not discernible in this scan. T3-PWL runs from anterior, linking with T3-S via T3-Wbr. A1-VB ventrad, following sternite, forming A1-VC; T3-VLT joining with A1-VB, A1-VLT extending posteriad from T3-VC. T3-VL branching from A1-VC. Remaining A2..8-S connections largely similar, with A n -DB extending dorsad, joining with A n -DLT; A n -MLT extending anterior-posteriorly through length of abdomen; and A n -VB ventrad, joining with A n -VLT. Nearly all tracheae bandlike, with visceral branches throughout abdomen. A4-S and A5-S with numerous sinusoidal visceral tracheae.