Integrative Insights into the Ecology, Development, and Chromatic Polymorphism of the Pacific Desert-dwelling Mantis Musonia Margheritae (mantodea, Thespidae)

Knowledge of the natural history of Neotropical mantids remains limited, and detailed biological information is lacking for most species. Here, we provide the first comprehensive account of the biology, morphology, chromatic polymorphism, development, and potential distribution of Musonia margheritae based primarily on material and observations from Ecuador, where the species inhabits arid ecosystems along the western slopes of the Andes. Our study reveals marked sexual differences in adult lifespan under laboratory conditions, with females living nearly twice as long as males, likely reflecting the energetic demands of ootheca production and prolonged foraging. We document key morphological traits and phenotypic variation relevant to the species’ ecology and taxonomy and present the first high-resolution photographic documentation of male and female genitalia for the species, including the first illustration of female genitalic structures. Coloration analyses show pronounced chromatic polymorphism in females and more uniform coloration in males. We propose that this polymorphism is associated with ecological and behavioral factors linked to crypsis in heterogeneous environments, particularly in apterous individuals (adult females and immatures) that rely heavily on substrate matching. A female with atypical green pigmentation recorded during the rainy season is consistent with developmental plasticity in coloration under seasonally variable conditions. Our ecological niche model indicates that M. margheritae occupies arid and seasonally dry habitats from sea level to 2000 m a.s.l. between central Ecuador and northern Chile; although the model overpredicts suitable areas, precipitation seasonality emerged as the primary predictor of habitat suitability. Overall, this study provides the most complete dataset currently available for M. margheritae in Ecuador and establishes a foundation for future research on this species and other understudied Neotropical mantids.