Family CORYDIIDAE Saussure, 1864

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• Corydiidae Saussure, 1864.
• Polyphagidae Saussure, 1864 [subjective synonym; junior subjective synonym of Corydiidae. Brunner von Wattenwyl (1865) as First Reviser chose to use Corydiidae (based on Corydiens Saussure, 1864) as the name for the group rather than Polyphagidae (this name was first used in this form by Walker, 1868). Corydiidae was in common usage until Princis incorrectly synonymised it in 1950 (for details see Kevan (1977))].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Baccaloni, G.W. & Eggleton, P. 2011. Order Blattodea Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1882. pp. 199-200 in Zhang, Z.-Q. (Ed.). Animal biodiversity: An outline of higher-level classification and survey of taxonomic richness. Zootaxa 3148

Introduction

Until recently the Corydiidae was called the Polyphagidae in all Australian literature, including the earlier version of this checklist (see Roach & Rentz 1998). The Corydiidae comprises two subfamilies, the Corydiinae and the Tiviinae, both of which have representatives in Australia. This is considered an ancient group of cockroaches and has representatives in all geographical regions of the world.

Australian corydiids are small delicate cockroaches that are often encountered at light traps. They are characterised by having the anal area of the wing not folded fan-like in repose as is the case with other cockroaches. They often have a postclypeal swelling on the frons. Virtually nothing is known of their natural history.

The subfamily Corydiinae is represented by Austropolyphaga and Polyphagoides. Austropolyphaga is comprises two species from south-eastern Queensland but they probably also occur in northern New South Wales. Polyphagoides is a rainforest genus with a single described species that is a bit larger than the others and quite hairy.

The Tiviinae contribute a single genus, Tivia, which is found only in north-western Western Australia.

General References

Roach, A.M.E. & Rentz, D.C.F. 1998. Blattodea. pp. 21-162 in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp. [114]

History of changes