A peer-reviewed open-access journal ZooKeys 645: 1–11 (2017) Subdivision of the neotropical Prisopodinae... 1 doi: 10.3897/zookeys.645.10783 RESEARCH ARTICLE http://zookeys.pensoft.net Launched to accelerate biodiversity research Subdivision of the neotropical Prisopodinae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893 based on features of tarsal attachment pads (Insecta, Phasmatodea) Thies H. Büscher1, Stanislav N. Gorb1 1 Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botani- schen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany Corresponding author: Thies H. Büscher (
[email protected]) Academic editor: B. Wipfler | Received 12 October 2016 | Accepted 5 January 2017 | Published 12 January 2017 http://zoobank.org/85C4A7BB-C1ED-486F-BBA2-E970F14F8A22 Citation: Büscher TH, Gorb SN (2017) Subdivision of the neotropical Prisopodinae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893 based on features of tarsal attachment pads (Insecta, Phasmatodea). ZooKeys 645: 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3897/ zookeys.645.10783 Abstract The euplantulae of species from all five genera of the Prisopodinae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893 were examined using scanning electron microscopy with the aim to reveal the significance of attachment pads regarding their phylogenetic relationships. The split into the conventional two sister groups is supported by the two-lobed structure of the euplantulae with a smooth surface in the Prisopodini and a nubby surface microstructure in the Paraprisopodini. The two lineages are well distinguishable by this feature, as well as by the shape of the euplantulae themselves. The functional importance of the attachment pad surface features is discussed. Keywords Phasmatodea, tarsus, euplantulae, Neotropis, scanning electron microscopy Introduction The Prisopodinae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893, which occur exclusively in Central and South America, were erected by Karny (1923) and include various species that were later transferred to other subfamilies.