Undetermined Identification of Rhombodera sp. Issue
I've been talking to Yen, and have discussed with him the probable lineage of the Giant Shield Mantis nymphs and ooths I have recently bred, and then either sold or traded to others. Up to this point, I had been calling these offspring Rhombodera basalis for the following reasons: The parent male was called "Giant Shield Mantis" by the breeder from which I got him. When I specifically asked him which exact Rhombodera species this was, he told me that it was Rhombodera basalis. The parent females of the offspring I bred were never specifically claimed as, or confirmed to be Rhombodera basalis; But were generally assumed and called this species for lack of better clarification, and the fact that Rhombodera basalis is the species name most widely and commonly given to most examples of this genus currently in culture.
I relayed to Yen where I got the parent stock, and asked him if he thought either the male, the female, or both, might be of the same scientifically unnamed (and as yet specifically, and officially undetermined) stock of the Rhombodera genus he has produced, which he has conscientiously called "Rhombodera sp.". He believes it very likely that most, if not all, of this now widespread stock currently circulating in the hobby (within the U.S., Europe, Germany, and elsewhere) is subsequent generations of the Rhombodera sp. stock he had so successfully bred a couple of years ago.
The exact species of this genus stock has yet to be scientifically and finally determined and officially named. I should have asked and learned the facts about this issue months ago when I first wondered about it. But I let it slide. And thus, there is the possibility that calling offspring of this stock "Rhombodera basalis" could be incorrect. I'm hoping authoritative scientific study will soon discover, or verify, and conclusively give this species it's rightful and correct classification. But until this happens, I feel it is best to also call this particular stock "Rhombodera sp." and not "Rhombodera basalis." I do not wish to be incorrect with the species name, or repeat and perpetuate the error if there is a chance these are not indeed R. basalis. I kindly request and urge everyone I have sent offspring and oothecae of this species to, to do likewise. If clarification is determined and forthcoming, I will happily make it known. Thank you!
Becky Heacox
I've been talking to Yen, and have discussed with him the probable lineage of the Giant Shield Mantis nymphs and ooths I have recently bred, and then either sold or traded to others. Up to this point, I had been calling these offspring Rhombodera basalis for the following reasons: The parent male was called "Giant Shield Mantis" by the breeder from which I got him. When I specifically asked him which exact Rhombodera species this was, he told me that it was Rhombodera basalis. The parent females of the offspring I bred were never specifically claimed as, or confirmed to be Rhombodera basalis; But were generally assumed and called this species for lack of better clarification, and the fact that Rhombodera basalis is the species name most widely and commonly given to most examples of this genus currently in culture.
I relayed to Yen where I got the parent stock, and asked him if he thought either the male, the female, or both, might be of the same scientifically unnamed (and as yet specifically, and officially undetermined) stock of the Rhombodera genus he has produced, which he has conscientiously called "Rhombodera sp.". He believes it very likely that most, if not all, of this now widespread stock currently circulating in the hobby (within the U.S., Europe, Germany, and elsewhere) is subsequent generations of the Rhombodera sp. stock he had so successfully bred a couple of years ago.
The exact species of this genus stock has yet to be scientifically and finally determined and officially named. I should have asked and learned the facts about this issue months ago when I first wondered about it. But I let it slide. And thus, there is the possibility that calling offspring of this stock "Rhombodera basalis" could be incorrect. I'm hoping authoritative scientific study will soon discover, or verify, and conclusively give this species it's rightful and correct classification. But until this happens, I feel it is best to also call this particular stock "Rhombodera sp." and not "Rhombodera basalis." I do not wish to be incorrect with the species name, or repeat and perpetuate the error if there is a chance these are not indeed R. basalis. I kindly request and urge everyone I have sent offspring and oothecae of this species to, to do likewise. If clarification is determined and forthcoming, I will happily make it known. Thank you!
Becky Heacox
