Genus Saltoblattella Rank Species | Higher classification Saltoblatella | |
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Scientific name Saltoblattella montistabularis Similar Louisiana pancake batfish, Insect, Mycena luxaeterna, Psathyrella aquatica, Walter's duiker | ||
Saltoblattella montistabularis female jump sequence
Saltoblattella montistabularis is a species of jumping cockroach known only from Table Mountain near Cape Town, South Africa. Both the species and genus were newly described in 2009. Researchers nicknamed the species leaproach. Its jumping mechanism is similar in anatomical features and in performance to grasshoppers with which it shares its habitat. Like grasshoppers, it is able to jump between grass and sedge stems. Its ability to jump is unique among the approximately 4,000 known species of cockroaches.
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Etymology
The generic name, Saltoblattella is a compound Latin word that translates as "jumping small cockroach."
Morphology
The new species is characterized by a series of features unique among extant cockroaches. Many of the specializations are apparently jumping adaptations, reflected in unusual morphology of eyes, antennae, legs and tergite glands. Its hind legs are significantly enlarged, unlike typical cockroaches which have legs of similar size and structure.
The male body length is 8–10 mm (0.31–0.39 in), the male pronotum (head shield) is 1.4–1.6 mm (0.055–0.063 in), the female body length is 6.3–7.7 mm (0.25–0.30 in), and the female pronotum is 1.5–1.7 mm (0.059–0.067 in).
