The" Little Kenyan Roach" has only been identified to family. It is commonly kept as a feeder animal by breeders in both America and Europe, and is gaining popularity due to its small size. I am pretty sure that at least a few people out there would be interested in a more accurate ID. I am honestly surprised that they have yet to be ID'd.
I have a small culture of this species- about 30 individuals including 3 adult males, and I could easily acquire more. I have supplies available including a dissecting microscope, insect pins, and a dissection kit. I have a few questions:
1. What would be the steps involved in identifying them to Genus and species?
2. They are most certainly an undescribed species, but what if they are a member of an undescribed Genus as well?
3. To go about identifying them, would one simply dissect the adult male's genitalia and compare it to others in the family Blaberidae?
4. Where could I go to acquire the literature resources required to ID this species? Does anyone have experience using Zoological Records online? Is the print form outdated?
5. If I was successful in attaining the ID, would this be publishable?
Thank you everyone in advance for your help.
Try Fabian Haas, in Leipzig. He worked in Kenya for years, and likes cockroaches
Yes Robin suggested, I would also recommend to contact Fabian Haas.
Probably, it is Pycnoscelus femapterus, http://www.researchgate.net/publication/232883738_The_cockroach_genus_Pycnoscelus_Scudder_with_a_description_of_Pycnoscelus_femapterus_sp._nov._%28Blattaria_Blaberidae_Pycnoscelinae%29
Article The cockroach genus Pycnoscelus Scudder, with a description ...
The division of vectorborne diseases in kenya, the national museum of kenya ento section, are prime source s for this kind of information. Anything new must be publishable even if its just the name. Remeber you wil be describing a discoverly not only new knowledge
I agree with Cristian- I tried to post a comment but it looks like it didn't go through. Thanks for the help everyone. Do you have any suggestions of places I can go (internet resources, etc.) to learn how to properly dissect the genitalia?
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