Evolutionary hide and seek: Mimetica (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) as a model system for examining polymorphism in anti-predator leaf masquerade

Katydids in the subfamily Pterochrozinae are known to use leaf masquerade as a principal component of their anti-predator defense, and the Central and South American genus Mimetica is one of the most extreme examples of leaf masquerade seen in insects. Mimetica shows high color and shape variation within currently established species and further intraspecific diversity is exhibited through sexual dimorphism. This makes definitive species identification based only on morphological characters nearly impossible and suggests that Mimetica is an interesting and ideal system for observing polymorphism in leaf-mimicking insects. We use landmark based geometric morphometric software to analyze similarities in venation and wing shape to determine whether intraspecific variation is continuous or discrete polymorphs exist. By doing this, we aim to clarify species distinctions and relationships within Mimetica. This will provide a greater understanding of the ecological function of polymorphs in insect populations and bring to light any morphologically distinguishing features between Mimetica species.