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Matchstick Grasshopper

Photo by Leuba Ridgway
Published on Project Noah
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-38.1729, 145.175

Field Notes

Description:

This 25 to 30 mm long grasshopper had a slanted face with segmented antennae ( pic 3). The slender body had a flattened pale dorsal side which matched the dry grass it was spotted on.
The sides of the abdomen and legs were a bright green.
Eyes appeared to have striations

Habitat:

Spotted on a grassy verge of a walking track in a reserve - Langwarrin Flora & Fauna Reserve.

Notes:

These matchstick grasshoppers belong to the
Family EUMASTACIDAE <br>

Still working on the iD. Possibly Carnarvonella sp.

Reference Links:

Matchstick Grasshoppers - Subfamily Morabinae, Family EUMASTACIDAE

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
Leuba Ridgway
Hema, I was referring to the stripes in the eye and not to "striated muscles" - It might not be clear enough but you can just make out the stripes in the eye in Pic 3.
HemaShah
The muscular system of insects ranges from a few hundred muscles to a few thousand. Unlike vertebrates that have both smooth and striated muscles, insects have only striated muscles, wikipedia
HemaShah
The muscle cells of the iris are smooth muscle in mammals and amphibians, but are striated muscle in reptiles (including birds). Many fish have neither, and, as a result, their irides are unable to dilate and contract, so that the pupil always remains of a fixed size. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_(anatomy) Does not say anything about insects!
Leuba Ridgway
Not sure about the function of the striations Hema. I understand that the way the crystalline proteins align themselves in a mature lens gives the cornea a striated appearance. Must look for literature that better explains this.
HemaShah
What would be the purpose of Striations in the eye?

Tags

Photographed
PublishedOctober 20, 2016

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