国家地理:古老森林中的神话生物

Mythical creature found in ancient wood

古老森林中的神话生物

Researchers exploring Brazil's Atlantic Forest discovered some five to seven new species of praying mantises. Among the newfound creatures are unicorn mantises, which have mysterious, hornlike structures on their heads, as seen above on a member of the genus Zoolea.

研究人员探索巴西的大西洋沿岸森林，发现了五到七个薄翅螳螂的新物种。这些新物种包括了独角螳螂，它们头上具有神秘的角状构造，属于Zoolea属的成员。

It's unclear exactly what purpose the protuberances serve. Perhaps they're "meant to break up the silhouette of the animals," says team leader Leonardo Lanna, whose Projeto Mantis expedition was funded by the National Geographic Society. Predators may then mistake them for something inedible, such as a leaf bud. Unlike their magical namesake, the praying mantises of the Atlantic Forest are experts in the art of blending in.

这个突起物的作用仍不清楚，也许是“用来混淆身形”。研究团队领导人李奥纳多·拉纳如此说；他的螳螂计划考察行程由国家地理学会赞助。掠食者可能会误认这些螳螂是不能吃的东西，例如一片叶芽。不同于和它们同名的神话动物，这些大西洋沿岸森林的薄翅螳螂可是伪装大师。