A new species of Dystacta Saussure, 1871 from Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda (Insecta, Mantodea, Dystactinae)

A new species of praying mantis, Dystacta tigrifrutex, has been discovered in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. This finding expands the known biodiversity of the region and provides insights into the morphological diversity within the genus Dystacta. The discovery was made through a targeted entomological survey conducted in 2013, which yielded two conspecific specimens—a male and female—along with first-instar nymphs and an ootheca (egg case). Researchers also re-described the previously monotypic genus Dystacta to broaden its definition. The study includes detailed morphological descriptions, measurement data, a key for species identification, natural history information, and locality data, contributing valuable resources for taxonomic studies and biodiversity documentation in Rwanda.

Svenson, G., Tedrow, R., Kabanguka, N., & Nasasira, R. (2014). A new species of Dystacta Saussure, 1871 from Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda (Insecta, Mantodea, Dystactinae). ZooKeys, 410, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.410.7053