Is there another species of Popa?

[PhilinYuma]

Don't look for this one in your local pet store any time soon, Happy. This link tells the dismal story: http://mantodea.speciesfile.org/Common/editTaxon/SearchForTaxon.aspx and IGM and Terra Typica have nothing on it.

nor does the TAMU (Texas A and M University) have anything in their data base, which is also online.. It has been reported in Malawi, though in the Rift Valley, so it may have a wide distribution. All we need now is a qualified entomologist to go out there and find it.

Do check out the sites mentioned in this post, though, and register on the IGM site; you'll acquire some useful tools and learn something about mantis systematics.

 

[happy1892]

Wow! I could not find those places.

 

[brancsikia339]

That is sad. The popa genus is an amazing family.

 

[happy1892]

That is sad. The popa genus is an amazing family.

What is sad?

 

[brancsikia339]

That Popa gracilis may be extinct

 

[gripen]

That Popa gracilis may be extinct

i highly doubt that.

 

[happy1892]

I asked if Popa gracilis are extinct because I have never heard of that species.

 

[happy1892]

I read this, "Many animals and plants become endangered or extinct each year. Recently, however, the rate of them dying out increased dramatically. it is estimated that 27,000 species become extinct each year, about 3 an hour. Since 1996, scientists calculated that 124 types of amphibians, 1,108 types of birds, 734 types of fish, 1,096 types of mammals, and 253 types of reptiles became endangered. This statistics also apply to plants." That is a lot!

 

[PhilinYuma]

Earlier i mentioned that Popa gracilis occurs in Malawi, home of one of the rift lakes or African great lakes, the largest of which is Lake Victoria that in my lifetime experienced perhaps the greatest extinction event in history. A number of ecologists argued in the 1950s in favor of introducing the Nile perch into the lake while others argued against it. The argument was preempted, however by someone who surreptitiously (i.e. illegally) introduced this huge (up to 450 lbs!) fish into the lake followed by later government sanctioned introductions. It flourished and destroyed whole populations of small fish. Some attempts have been made to "preserve " about forty species in American aquariums, but governmental efforts to restore the lake are not being pursued very vigorously, in part, no doubt, due to the fact that the Nile perch is a lucrative catch for commercial fishermen.

Once again, the catastrophic extinction of a biotope's fauna came about as a result of governmental action at the urging of ecological "experts" or industrial lobbyists rather than naughty hobbyists. For further examples, look at the introduction of Kudzu and eucalyptus in the US, cane toads in Australia and mongooses in Hawaii (long before it became part of the US!).

Fortunately, P. gacilis has no economic value, so it is probably wandering happily in the valley, at least until spreading civilization destroys its habitats.

 

[Christian]

Popa has only one recognized species at the moment, P. spurca, with its two subspecies P. s. spurca and P. s. crassa. Forget all about lobes and wings, as they are very variable, the only difference lies in the male genitalia. So far so good. However, the status of the Madagascan specimens has to be reevaluated, and in my opinion Danuria kilimandjarica resembles more a Popa than a Danuria. Popa gracilis currently is assigned to Danuria.

 

[gripen]

Popa has only one recognized species at the moment, P. spurca, with its two subspecies P. s. spurca and P. s. crassa. Forget all about lobes and wings, as they are very variable, the only difference lies in the male genitalia. So far so good. However, the status of the Madagascan specimens has to be reevaluated, and in my opinion Danuria kilimandjarica resembles more a Popa than a Danuria. Popa gracilis currently is assigned to Danuria.

thanks christian! good to see you posting again!

 

[brancsikia339]

They're probably somewhere in Africa hiding...

 

[happy1892]

They changed the genus. Popa gracilis to Danuria gracilis.

 

[psyconiko]

So does someone know what species of Popa I have?

 

[agent A]

So does someone know what species of Popa I have?

Spurca

Since it seems to be the only known species in the genus, u probo have spurca, though I could be wrong so don't quote me

 

[happy1892]

I have read that Popa spurca is the only species in the genus Popa.

 

[agent A]

I said don't quote me darn you!!!

 

[happy1892]

Oops!

 

[psyconiko]

 

[psyconiko]