The snake-tail mantis: a new endemic species of dwarf mantis, Ameles serpentiscauda sp. nov., reveals a distinctive mating behavior and complex communication patterns

A new species of dwarf mantis, Ameles serpentiscauda sp. nov. endemic to Sardinia (Italy) is described. This taxon displays a highly elaborate courtship behavior, characterized by coordinated movements of the abdomen, cerci and terminalia, which is reported here for the first time, and compared with known behavioral traits in the genus Ameles. An integrative framework has been used, combining these ethological data with detailed morphology and molecular phylogenetics. The latter approach places A. serpentiscauda as the sister taxon to A. andreae, despite pronounced divergence in wing morphology. This finding underscores the lability of wing development within Amelini, contrary to historical taxonomic assumptions. Behavioral clustering further supported the close relationship between A. serpentiscauda and A. andreae, highlighting a potential phylogenetic signal in courtship displays. However, distance‐matrix comparisons and linear modeling reveal that neither morphology nor phylogeny alone reliably predict behavioral divergence, suggesting hints of convergent adaptation. The discovery of a complex and idiosyncratic behavior in A. serpentiscauda reveals an unexpected communicative ability within solitary Mantodea. Moreover, our results demonstrate that ethological traits possess untapped potential as taxonomic characters, but should be approached with caution, as they may reflect repeated adaptations, rather than shared ancestry.