Mantisraptor

tileskópio arpázon ( "Telescoped Grasper" )

Mantispids?

Physical Biometrics:

Wingspan: ~17 inches / 43 cm

Length: up to 10 inches / ~25 cm

(Excluding cerci ), ( Excluding extended forelimbs )

Weight / Mass: up to 120-140 grams

Distribution and Environment:

Arboreal, and primarily resides along the top canopies of treetops. Some species in this group have ranges that extend into other vegetated biomes.

Description:

They have a life generally similar to their ancestors, in their juvneile years they are flightless and are ambush generalists. However, they are not yet obligate carnivores, and still take advantage of the abundant plant based food resources.

Their flight is composed of quick short distance bursts, primarily using them to pounce on enemies located greater then several body lengths away. They have two extremely large compound eye and uses this acute vision to pursue prey even in midair.

Oftentimes, they use the very energy conservative opportunistic hunting behavior of sitting motionless before striking at any prey moving in close range.

Evolution / Anatomy:

Their triple lensed ocelli have atrophied and diminished to have been nearly completely been lost, being so vestigial that they almost no longer function. Rather the color perception has now been allocated to the two enormous compound eyes on the head. It possesses extremely acute vision, and can see nearly greater then 270 degrees omnidirectionally around its head.

Because of this enhanced sense, their antennae has been diminished to signify a transition from chemosensory / mechanosensory to ocular sensory. Mandibles and maxillary palps are prominent, and are they primary tool for dispatching prey.

The thoracic pronotum plate is reduced to allow for much greater mobility of the head and upper body in exchange for less armor.

The most striking feature of this animal are the paired frontal legs, modified into raptorial grasping appendages. This almost seamlessly exhibits convergent evolution with real world praying mantis, mantispids, spearer mantis shrimps, and thread legged assassin bugs. The coxa of the leg is elongated, and the trochanter is almost completely reduced to the point of nonexistence, with the only sign of its vestigial purpose serving as a sort of facted ball joint for the femur and tibia to swivel upon.

Interestingly, it has lost most of its tibial spines on its walking legs,  almost certainly for more smoother navigation through crowded foliage.

It possesses two modified cerci, similar to rudders to steer and maneveur around tight airspaces. It has mechanosensory hairs on these to detect airborne vibrations behind it.

Known Descendants: 

( N / A, coming soon )