Tribe Schistodactylini Raffray, 1890

Museums

Regional Maps

• Schistodactylini Raffray, A. 1890. Étude sur le Psélaphides. V. Tableux synoptiques. - Notes et synonymie. Revue d'Entomologie (Caen) 9: 81-172 [Date published March-June 1890] [162].

  Type genus:

   Schistodactylus Raffray, 1883.

Introduction

The members of this tribe can only really be separated from those of the Tyrini by the presence of the complexly spinose maxillary palpi (Fig. 207) and the second tarsomeres being longest, while the Tyrini lack these spines and the third tarsomeres are usually longer. Genera appearing intermediate in development of spines on the maxillary palpi are readily placed in other distinctive tribes, the Tmesiphorini and Ctenistini, which are less similar to the Schistodactylini than the Tyrini. Considering that one derived tendency within the Tyrini is toward enlarged and modified maxillary palpi, the maintenance of the Schistodactylini should be questioned further, even though intermediate forms are lacking. The only two genera included in this tribe are restricted to Australia (Chandler 2001: 456).

Diagnosis

Head with broad indistinct rostrum; lacking ocular-mandibular carinae; clypeus with apex broadly rounded, lateral margins relatively straight to eyes; lacking ocular-mandibular carinae; maxillary palpi ventrolaterally spinose, first segments short, second segments with 2 spines, third and fourth segments with 1 spine each (Fig. 207). Pronotum lacking paranotal carinae. Abdomen with deep basal sulci on visible tergite 1 (IV) and visible sternite 2 (IV); visible tergite 4 (VII) with adjacent paratergites. Legs with second tarsomeres longer than third tarsomeres, one genus (Schistodactylus Raffray) with second tarsomeres short basally and extended as long pads beneath third tarsomeres; with 2 equal tarsal claws

ID Keys

Key to genera of Schistodactylini (Chandler 2001: 456).

1. Second tarsomeres broadly lobed beneath third tarsomeres, nearly extending to tarsal claws; elytra short, no longer than abdominal tergite 1 (IV); head lacking frontal fovea (Fig. 166) … Schistodactylus Raffray

Second tarsomeres cylindrical, not lobed though they may extend shortly beneath third tarsomeres; elytra of normal length, longer than abdominal tergite 1 (IV); head with frontal fovea (Fig. 165) … Leanymus Raffray

Diagnosis References

Chandler, D.S. 2001. Biology, morphology, and systematics of the ant-like litter beetle genera of Australia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae). Gainesville, FL : Memoirs on Entomology, International Vol. 15 viii + 560 pp. [Date published 30 April 2001] [456]

Raffray, A. 1908. Coleoptera fam. Pselaphidae. 1-487, pls i-ix in Wytsman, P. (ed.). Genera Insectorum, 64th fascicule. Rome : Wytsman. [409]

General References

Chandler, D.S. 2001. Biology, morphology, and systematics of the ant-like litter beetle genera of Australia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae). Gainesville, FL : Memoirs on Entomology, International Vol. 15 viii + 560 pp. [Date published 30 April 2001]

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