The life-cycle of Callibia diana Stål is described and linear and geometric morphometrics are used for studying allometrics and shape changes throughout this neotropical mantid species' life-cycle. Significant changes were expected in the allometry and shape of the raptorial leg and abdomen, given the importance of hunting and reproduction. The allometric slopes were obtained by using total length as the independent variable. Geometric morphometrics of landmarks were used for frontal femur and tibia. Hunting and reproduction-related structures had the steepest slopes and positive allometries. Negative growth of both disc width and head width found in the last moulting event may be a consequence of prothoracic muscle growth which is responsible for predatory strike strength. The tibial claw and femur of the raptorial leg become larger, while their spines become more orthogonal to the longitudinal axes which may facilitate prey retention. These changes in mantid shape throughout ontogeny were consistent and suggested the resource allocation and development programming of the body that improved reaching distance and prey retention.
Raptorial leg; resource allocation; geometric morphometrics; hunting strategy; functional morphology
