Dr. Hiroaki Mano

An excellent example of mimicry is the flower-mimicry of the orchid mantis Hymenopus coronatus with pink and white coloration and petal-like legs. Biochemical analyses indicated that the reduced form of xanthommatin, a common red pigment of the ommochrome family, almost solely contributes to the pink color. On the other hand, the oxidized form of xanthommatin was found in mantises with brown body color. To further elucidate the mechanism underlying the different body coloration, we are now analyzing the ultrastructure of ommochrome granules in pigment cells of these mantises by transmission electron microscopy.