Dares validispinus

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Dares validispinus
Dares validispinus, pair
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Phasmatodea
Family: Heteropterygidae
Subfamily: Dataminae
Tribe: Datamini
Genus: Dares
Species:
D. validispinus
Binomial name
Dares validispinus
Stål, 1875

Dares validispinus is a species of stick insects. Like most other members of the genus Dares, the species is native to Borneo, more precisely in the northwest of the island.

Characteristics

The species shows the typical

metanotum edge there is another pair of spines. To the side of the spines on meso- and metanotum there is a further spike each on the pleura. In contrast to Dares verrucosus and Dares ulula, the males of Dares validispinus lack a distinct pair of spines at the front edge of the mesothorax. On the upper side of the posterior half of the abdomen there are 3 to 4 paired, spine-like lobes. The antennae of the males each consist of 23 segments.[1][2]

Distribution area and way of life

Dares validispinus is native to a wide strip in the northwest of the island of Borneo, where it has been detected from Sarawak via Brunei to Sabah. There is also evidence from the area Labuan.[1]

This Dares species is just as nocturnal as the others of this genus. During the day the animals hide. In addition, their color and body shape make them easy to confuse with parts of plants. This strategy of camouflage (here phytomimesis) is not given up even if the animals are discovered. When touched, they drop to the ground and remain there motionless in playing dead. Only when there is no further contact do they slowly move back towards a suitable hiding place.

Only two to three eggs are laid on the ground per week. These are approximately spherical and about 3.2 millimetres (0.13 in) in diameter and dark brown in color with irregular gray-brown spots. There are 0.3 millimetres (0.012 in) long, creamy white, curved hairs on the surface, which often causes the eggs to stick together. The large micropylar plate has three arms. One of the arms points in the direction of the lid (operculum) and almost reaches it, while the other two run circularly around the lower quarter of the egg. The almost round operculum has a diameter of 2.0 to 2.4 millimetres (0.079 to 0.094 in). After four to six months, the approximately 14 millimetres (0.55 in) long

imagos. Adult females can live to be around two years old. Males are more short-lived.[1][2][3][4]

Taxonomy

lectotype.[1][5][6]

Terraristic

Allan Harmann and Mary Salton brought the first living specimens of this species from the

terrariums of European enthusiasts. Further imports were made, for example, in 1994 by Mel Herbert from Brunei and in 1996 by Frank H. Hennemann and Oskar V. Conle from Mount Serapi
in Sarawak. A stock that Jonah Voo Zhong Xuan collected in Sabah in 2017 and has been breeding since then is referred to as Dares validispinus 'Kiansom' with details of the place where it was found.

Dares validispinus is easy to keep and breed. A higher

bramble and many other Rosaceae are eaten, as well as those of hazel, oak and Gaultheria shallon (salal).[2][3][4]

Dares validispinus is listed by the Phasmid Study Group under PSG number 38.[7]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 983-812-027-8
  2. ^
    ISSN 2190-3476
  3. ^ a b phasmatodea.com by Hennemann, F. H.; Conle, O. V.; Kneubühler, B. & Valero, P.
  4. ^
    ISBN 3-933646-89-8
  5. ISBN 90-73239-61-3, Download version
  6. ^ Brock, P. D.; Büscher, T. H. & Baker, E. W. Phasmida Species File Online. Version 5.0. (accessdate 1 August 2021)
  7. ^ Phasmid Study Group Culture List

External links

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