Key to Mexican Genera of ALEOCHARINAE

DRAFT 4 November 1998 [J.S. Ashe]

KEY A

1. Tarsal formula 2-2-2; terga of abdominal segments III-VI with apical
ctenidium of short, comb-like cuticular projections (tribe DEINOPSINI) ....
............................................................................. Adinopsis All tarsi 4- or 5-articled; abdominal terga without apical ctenidium ...
............................................................................... 2 2(1). Tarsal formula 5-5-5 (front tarsi 5-articled) .......................3 Tarsal formula other than 5-5-5 (at least front tarsi 4-articled) .........
.............................................................................. 4 3(2). Mentum and submentum fused; many moderately to strongly
physogastric (abdomen swollen, with extensive areas of membrane exposed
between sclerotized areas); associated with termites (tribe COROTOCINI) ...
................................................................................ KEY B Mentum and submentum not fused, clearly separated by a suture; not
physogastric; not usually with termites .................... KEY C 4(2). Tarsal formula 4-5-5 (anterior tarsi 4-articled, middle tarsi 5-articled) .
........................................................................................ 6 Tarsal formula 4-4-5 or 4-4-4 (both front and middle tarsi with 4
tarsomeres) .......................................... 5 5(4). Tarsal formula 4-4-5 (anterior and middle tarsi 4-articled, posterior
tarsi 5-articled) ..................................... KEY J Tarsal formula 4-4-4 (all tarsi 4-articled) .............................. 10 6(4). Maxillary (of all) and labial palpi (of some, often weakly developed)
with preapical pseudosegment, appearing 5-segmented and 4-segmented (some)
respectively (tribe HOPLANDRIINI) .......... KEY D Maxillary and labial palpi without preapical pseudosegment .... 7 7(6). With very large, sclerotized mesothoracic peritremes; body form distinctive:
head with well-delimited narrow neck less that 1/2 as wide as head; pronotum
broadest subapically, narrowed behind to a base not more than 3/4 greatest width
of pronotum; pronotum with moderate to deep median longitudinal sulcus;
prosternum elongate behind level of procoxal insertions; abdominal tergum IV
with distinctive medial gland opening (visible in microslide preparations); paramere
of male copulatory organ with velum divided into 2 lobes (tribe FALAGRIINI) ..... KEY E Mesothoracic peritremes not sclerotized or enlarged; combination of other
features not exactly as above .................... 7 8(7). Abdomen distinctly petiolate, with various ones of abdominal segments III-V
modified to form a distinct petiole and the remaining segments forming a "gaster";
guests army ants of the genus of Neivamyrmex (tribe CREMATOXENINI) . KEY F Abdomen not distinctly petiolate (though basal abdominal segments may be
narrowed); free-living or myrmecophilous with various taxa of army ants
or other ants .......................9 9(8). Middle coxae broadly separated; metasternal process much longer than
mesosternal process; galea and lacinia often moderately to greatly elongate, length
of galea equal to or greater than distance to base of galea from cardo (tribe
LOMECHUSINI) ................. KEY G Middle coxae narrowly to moderately separated; mesosternal process as long
as, or longer than, metasternal process; galea and lacina not greatly elongate,
length of galea usually shorter than, or subequal to, distance to of galea from
cardo ........................ 10 10(9). Combination of: apterous, with moderately to greatly shortened elytra, elytra
length less than 2/3 pronotal length; head pronotum, elytra, and abdominal sterna
and at least some terga with numerous dark macrosetae; eyes small, 1/3 length of
temples or less; pronotal disk deflexed onto prothoracic flanks, hypomeron not
delimited from dorsum of pronotum by a marginal line, or marginal line only
present in posterior 1/2; associated with ants of the genus Liometopum (tribe
SCEPTOBIINI) ................... KEY H Not exactly fitting all aspects of above description (a few taxa of the
tribe Athetini, such as Pontomalota, have greatly shortened elytra, but the
other features do not apply; free-living or myrmecophilous, but not
associated with ants of the genus Liometopum .......... KEY I 10(5). Pronotum with deep median sulcus; tergum IX deeply incised to form two
strongly sclerotized processes; associated with army ants of genus Labidus (tribe
ECITOGASTRINI) ........................... Ecitogaster Without above combination of features .......................................... 10 11(10). Body strongly ant-like, with petiolate abdomen and abdominal segments
forming a distinct "gaster"; eyes absent; elytra not present, or represented by
minute raised projections; associated with ants of genus Labidus (tribe
LEPTANILLOPHILINI).................... Pseudomimeciton Without above combination of features ............................... KEY K

KEY B (Key to the Mexican genera of the tribe Corotocini) 1. Medial metasternal articulating process elongated, hind coxae not
continuous with metasternum (COROTOCINA) ........................... Nigriphilus Hind coxal-metasternal articulation generalized .............................. 2 2(1). Body relatively robust, markedly sclerotized; tarsal segment 5 partially
fused to segment 4, 5 not independently movable (TERMITOGASTRINA) .............. 3 Body relatively frail, slightly sclerotized; tarsal segment 5 not partially
fused to 4, 5 independently movable (EBURIOGASTRINA) ........................6 3(2). Postclypeus with apically produced horn ........................... Termitonasus Postclypeus without horn .............................................. 4 4(3). Inner margins of elytra contiguous, not divergent; submentum-mentum
greatly expanded and transverse from a narrow gula ............... Termitosynodes Inner margins of elytra divergent behind scutellum; submentum-
mentum not greatly expanded .......................................... 5 5(4). Pronotal disk not broadly impressed (several small impressions may be
present); abdominal segment VII with minute outer paratergite .................................. Trachopeplus Pronotal disk broadly impressed; abdominal tergum VII without
paratergite ........... Xenogaster 6(2). Pronotum widest before middle, about 1/3 distance from apex to base;
pronotal apical and basal widths subequal; pronotal base straight or arcuate;
basal segment of labial palpi of moderate length; body sparsely setose and
pubescent ....... Eburniogaster Pronotum widest at middle or behind middle; pronotal apex about 3/4
width of base; pronotal base strongly bisinuate; basal segment of labial
palpus very long; body with numerous setae ................................. Termitonidia

KEY C

(Key to the Mexican genera of the tribes Mesoporini, Aleocharini, and Oxypodini (in part))

1. Hind coxae with lamella covering base of femur; antennal articles
3-7 minute, 8-10 much larger, forming a distinct "club"; minute (about 1.0
mm in total length), light brown to flavate, sublimuloid species (tribe
MESOPORINI) ........................... Anacyptus Hind coxae without lamella covering base of femur; antennal articles 3-7
not minute and 8-10 not abruptly larger to form a distinct club; size
various, but most larger than 1.0 mm; mostly fusiform or parallel-sided
species (Euthorax sublimuloid, but other features in alternate half of
couplet do not apply) ..... 2 2(1). Maxillary and labial palpi with subapical pseudosegment, 5-articled and
4-articled respectively (tribe ALEOCHARINI) ...................................... 3 Maxillary and labial palpi without subapical pseudosegment, 4-articled
and 3-articled respectively (tribe OXYPODINI, part) ............................................ 4 3(2). Hypomera not, or only slightly visible in lateral aspect ....................... Aleochara Hypomera broadly visible in lateral aspect .................................... Ocyota 4(2). Hypomera inflexed, not visible in lateral aspect and mesocoxal cavities
broadly separated (based on description in Sharp 1883) ....................Ambodina Without above combination of features .....................................5 5(4). Frontal suture present ....................................................... 6 Frontal suture absent ....................................................... 7 6(5). Pronotal hypomera not visible in lateral aspect; pronotum distinctly
wider than long; mostly fusiform to subfusiform beetles ............................ Oxypoda Pronotal hypomera distinctly visible in lateral aspect; pronotum as long, or
longer than, wide; slender, rather gracile, species ........................... Parocyusa 7(5). Tarsal claws falcate; pronotum subquadrate; all antennal articles
elongate; size 2.3 - 4.2 mm .............................................................. Gyronycha Tarsal claws not falcate; pronotal, antennal and size characteristics
various ................................ 8 8(7). Hypomeron distinctly visible in lateral aspect ........................................... 9 Hypomeron not visible in lateral aspect .......................................... 10 9(8). Four abdominal tergites (III-VI) impressed at base; mesosternum
without medial longitudinal carina; body moderately to strongly flattened,
more or less parallel-sided species; less than 3 mm in length; species
occurring under bark ................................................................... Phloeopora Three abdominal tergites (III-V) impressed at base; body not
noticeably flattened; larger species, 3-5mm in length; mesosternum
with medial longitudinal carina in basal half; not occurring under
bark (genus NOT RECORDED from Mexico) ............................................ Ocalea 10(8). Pronotum very broad and convex, 1.7-2.0 times as broad as long;
elytra shorter than pronotum; metasternal process very short; abdominal
tergum VII longer than other terga; male sternum VII with emarginate
apex and very long fine setae; sublimuloid species with acuminate
abdomen; often myrmecophilous .............. Euthorax Without above combination of features 11 11(10). Body shape rather fusiform, with posteriorly attenuate abdomen;
galea with lobiform appendages at apex (visible in microslide mounted
specimens only); ligula very short and either truncate or emarginate at
apex (usually only visible in microslide mounted specimens); anterior tibia
without numerous short spines; males often with small to moderate
elevated denticle in middle of tergum VII; males with sternum VIII at
most only slightly and very broadly produced as a triangular lobe ..................... Polylobus Body more robust and parallel-sided, abdomen not attenuate
posteriorly; galea without lobiform appendages at apex; ligula
elongate and rounded at apex (usually visible in microslide
mounted specimens only); anterior tibia with numerous short
spines; males without denticle in middle of tergum VII; males
with sternum VIII very markedly produced into a large triangular
lobe .............................................. Haploglossa

KEY D

(Key to the Mexican genera of the tribe Hoplandriini)

1. Mesocoxae widely separated by broad mesosternal and metasternal
processes ... 2 Mesocoxae narrowly separated, mesosternal and metasternal
processes not broad .. 4 2(1). Mesosternum and mesosternal processes with strong medial carina;
mesosternal process long, overlapping shorter metasternal process .... Tinotus Mesosternum and mesosternal process without medial carina;
metasternal process as long or longer than mesosternal process ...... Hoplandria 3(2). Male tergum VII without medial carina; smaller species, about
1.5-2.0 mm in length ..................................................................... Nosora Male tergum VII with moderate medial carina; larger species,
about 3-4 mm in length ......................................................................... Platandria

KEY E

(Key to the Mexican genera of the tribe Falagriini)

1. Apical margin of tergum VIII without arcuate comb of minute
denticles; scutellum with medial longitudinal carina (complete or
incomplete) ......... Myrmecocephalus Apical margin of tergum VIII with arcuate comb of minute denticles;
scutellum with different features ...................... 22(1). Elytral punctation denser near scutellum; mesosternal process on
a level ventral to metasternum; mesosternal process short, acute, not
extended between mesocoxal cavities; scutellum with smooth medial
impression in most species ......... Aleodorus Elytral punctation not denser near scutellum; mesosternum on same
level as metasternum; mesosternal process longer, extending to near
middle of mesocoxal cavities; scutellum bicarinate ........ Falagria

KEY F

(Key to the Mexican genera of the tribe Crematoxenini)

1. Eyes absent ... Pulicomorpha Eyes present .... 2 2(1). Abdominal segments II, III, IV and the anterior part of segment V
modified to form a petiole .... 3 Abdominal segment II and anterior portion of segment III constricted
to form a petiole .....4 3(2). Lateral margins of head strongly convergent behind eyes; abdominal
segment III not expanded in distal 1/2 .... Crematoxenus Lateral margins of head not convergent behind eyes; abdominal
segment III expanded in distal 1/2 ...... Neivaphilus4(2). Dorsal surface deeply rugose ...... Ecitosius Dorsal surface not deeply rugose ...... Beyeria

KEY G

(Key to the Mexican genera of the tribe Lomechusini)

1. Head suboval, temples nearly as long as, or longer than eyes, temples
rounded to narrow, distinct neck, neck 1/2 to 1/3 head width; genae without
infraorbital carina; galea not, or only slightly longer and narrower than lacinia;
ligula very small, short and entire at apex; pronotum slightly transverse to
slightly elongate, broadly rounded dorsally, broadest in anterior 1/4 to 1/3
and narrowed to broadly rounded anterior angles and to base; base of
pronotum much narrower than base of elytra; anterior and lateral margins
of pronotum depressed, marginal line substantially depressed onto vertical
sides of pronotum; hypomera delimited, very narrow and transverse in most,
slightly inflexed or nearly vertical, covering base of femora in many; antenna
long and slender, antennomeres 1-7 to 1-11 elongated; most species rather
gracile and bicolored with light and dark ...... 2 Not exactly fitting above description ..... 3 2(1). Prosternum not divided by a distinct transverse carina anterior to coxal
insertions; posterior margin of prosternum more or less truncate, not
attenuated into a spine; anterior margin of mesosternum not, or only
slightly excavated before apex, mesosternal neck absent or very poorly
developed ....... Meronera Prosternum divided by a distinct transverse carina anterior to coxal
insertions; posterior margin of prosternum attenuated into a prominent
spine; anterior margin of mesosternum deeply excavated to form a
prominent mesosternal neck ...... Neolara 3(1). Head and pronotum with prominent ridges or carinae .......... Ecitoxenidia Head and pronotum without ridges or carinae ............. 4 4(3). Lateral margins of abdominal terga III-V with prominent golden-yellow
tuffs of glandular hairs (trichomes); pronotum broadly transverse and strongly
explanate and reflexed laterally ....... Xenodusa Lateral margins of abdominal terga III-V without trichomes; pronotum
not as above ... 5 5(4). Head without neck or with indistinct neck greater than 1/2 width of head ..... 6 Head with very distinct neck 1/2 to 1/4 width of head ..... 8 6(7). Antennal articles 1-6 very small and slender, 4-6 small and subquadrate
to slightly transverse, 7-10 transverse and incrassate, article 11 as long and
8-10 combined; body strongly shining, without reticulation and with very
sparse punctation and pubescence; pronotum about 1.25 times as broad as
long; elytra 1/4 longer than pronotum .... Xesturida Not having the above features ..... 7 7(6). Small, slender and more-or-less flattened species, 2-3 mm in total
length; pronotum transverse with shallow longitudinal submarginal impression
in each side; myrmecophilous, associated with army ants of the genus
Neivamyrmex ..... Microdonia Larger, more robust species, most larger than 3 mm in length; pronotum
various, without shallow longitudinal submarginal impressions on each
side; free-living or myrmecophilous, but not usually associated with
Neivamyrmex ...... Zyras 8(5). Eyes very large, occupying most or all of the lateral margins of the head..... 9 Eyes more normal sized, temples as long as, or longer than, length of eyes .... 10 9(8). Head with distinct medial impression; lateral margins of pronotum
constricted near base so that the lateral margins are distinctly sinuate in
dorsal aspect; posterior margin of abdominal tergum VIII without 4
distinct points or processes .... Labidoculex Head without distinct medial impression; lateral margins of
pronotum straight or uniformly rounded; posterior margin of
abdominal tergum VIII with 4 distinct points or processes ............. Tetradonia 10(8). Pronotum distinctly transverse, at least 1.25 times as wide as long;
anterior angles of pronotum broadly to distinctly angulate, posterior angles
broadly rounded and indistinct; hind tarsi not noticeably elongate, tarsomere
1 subequal to or, at most, only very slightly longer than tarsomere 2, not
known to be associated with ants ................ Orphnebius Pronotum subquadrate to distinctly elongate; anterior angles of
pronotum broadly rounded and indistinct, posterior angles angulate;
hind tarsi noticeably elongate, tarsomere 1 at least 1.2 times (over 2
times in some) as long as 2; known Mexican species associated with
refuse piles or columns of Atta ants ...... Falagonia

KEY H

(Key to Mexican genera of the tribe Sceptobiini)

3(2). Antenna short, not reaching posterior to base of pronotum when extended
posteriorly; antennomeres VIII-X strongly transverse; metathoracic femora
greatly compressed; head 1.2-1.5 times as wide as long; abdominal tergites
IV-VI with 0-6 macrosetae on each lateral half .... Dinardilla Antenna elongate, reaching posterior to base of pronotum when
extended posteriorly; antennomeres VIII-X quadrate to elongate;
metathoracic femora not, or only slightly, compressed; head 0.9-1.2
times as wide as long; abdominal tergites IV-VI with 7-18 macrosetae
in each half .... Sceptobius

KEY I

(Key to the Mexican genera of the tribes Athetini (in part),
Sceptobiini and Ecitocharini, Oxypodini: Tachyusina)

1. Body form distinctive, pronotum 1.2-1.3 times as wide as long, rather
robust, widest in apical 1/2 and narrowest at base (base about 3/4 as wide as
greatest width); pronotal hypomera fully visible in lateral aspect; elytra shorter
than pronotum, outer apical angles deeply sinuate; anterior and middle tibia
with rows of small but robust spines; head pronotum and elytra finely granulose
due to raised fine-meshed reticulate microsculpture; species of sandy beaches
of Pacific Coast (tribe ATHETINI, part) ..... Pontomalota Body not exactly as above, not usually found on beaches ................. 2 2(1). Body sculpture prominent and dense throughout, consisting of deeply
excavated chitinous polygons; abdominal sternum VII with paired sclerotized
gland reservoirs (visible in microslide preparations); associated with ants of
the genus Eciton (ECITOCHARINI) ..... 3 Body sculpture various, not prominent and dense throughout body,
not consisting of deeply excavated chitinous polygons; abdominal
sternum VII without paired sclerotized gland reservoirs; not
associated with army ants ..... 5 3(2). First visible segment of abdomen conspicuously constricted; abdominal
tergites IV, V and VI without deep transverse basal impressions ..... 4 First visible segment of abdomen not conspicuously constricted;
abdominal tergites IV, V and VI with deep transverse basal
impressions .... Ecitoschneirla 4(3). Apex of mentum deeply divided into two rounded lobes .... Ecitophya Apex of mentum with broadly V-shaped incision .... Ecitomorpha 5(2). Body very elongate, parallel-sided and subcylindrical; antennomeres
4-10 strongly transverse, antenna very strongly incrassate to apex; front
and middle tibia with rows of spines; in receptacles of ripe figs (tribe
ATHETINI, part) ...... Charoxus Not exactly fitting above description ........ 6 6(5). Abdominal tergites III-V with deep transverse impressions,
impressions with medial carina and series of parallel ridges or course
deep punctures; body elongate and slender, with slightly to moderately
clavate abdomen, abdominal segments V-VII broader and thicker than
basal segments (tribe OXYPODINI: TACHYUSINA, part) ...... Tachyusa Abdominal tergites III- V moderately or not impressed, without
medial carina or parallel ridges or deep coarse punctures; body
form not exactly fitting the above description ..... 7 7(6). Mesocoxae moderately separated, mesosternal and metasternal
processes relatively broad and arcuately rounded .... 8 Mesocoxae narrowly separated or contiguous, mesosternal and
metasternal processes slender (tribe ATHETINI, part).... 10 8(7). Pronotum about as wide as elytra; apical segment of labial palpus
dilated along mesal margin to apex, with numerous sensilla along mesal
margin (Central American species do not have this character, see note
under generic overview); temples margined below by fine infraorbital
carina (genus NOT RECORDED in Mexico) (tribe ATHETINI,
part)....... Thamiaraea Pronotum distinctly narrower than elytra; labial palpus generalized,
not dilated along mesal margin and without mesal sensilla; temples
without infraorbital carina (tribe OXYPODINI: TACHYUSINA,
part)...... 9 9(8). Prothorax with a large, deep medial impression (genus NOT
RECORDED from Mexico) ................... Rechota Prothorax without a large, deep medial impression ...... Gnypeta 10(7). Front tibiae spinose in anterior half; ligula very broad, broadly
rounded and incised to near base medially; genae without infraorbital
carina; head elongate, temples as long or longer than eyes ...... Parademosoma Front tibiae not spinose; ligula elongate and narrow, bifid at
apex or to near base; genae with complete or partial infraorbital
carina; head various 11 11(10). Ligula very long and slender, at least 4 times as long as wide,
narrowly bifid only at apex; pronotum with longitudinal impression on
each side of midline; labial palpi 2-articled ............................... Leptoglossula Ligula broader and shorter, not more than 3 times as long as wide,
bifid to at least middle or to near base; pronotum without
longitudinal impressions on each side of midline; labial palpi
3-articled ........ Atheta

KEY J

(Key to the Mexican aleocharine genera having 4-4-5 tarsal segmentation, including the tribes
Philotermini, Myllaenini, Autaliini, part of Athetini, Homalotini, Liparocephalini and Placusini)

1. Head with transverse, shallowly v-shaped cariniform line extending
between antennal fossae; body light yellow-brown throughout; associated
with termites of the genus Coptotermes (tribe PHILOTERMINI) (genus
NOT RECORDED from Mexico) ..................................... Pseudophilotermes Head without transverse cariniform line extending between antennal
fossae; body color various; not normally associated with termites ..... 22(1). Labial palpi distinctly long and stylate ..... 3 Labial palpi not stylate ...... 93(2). Mentum with antero-lateral margins produced into moderate to large
spiniform processes (tribe MYLLAENINI) ............ 4 Mentum various, but antero-lateral margins not produced as
spiniform processes (tribe HOMALOTINI: SILUSINA) ... 64(3) Mesocoxal cavities broadly separated; abdominal segment IX with
a distinct circular setal pattern ........... Rothuim Mesocoxal cavities narrowly separated to contiguous; setal pattern
of abdominal segment IX normal ........ 55(4) Body parallel-sided, strongly flattened; head prognathus; pronotal
hypomera visible in lateral view; posterolateral margin of elytron not
sinuate; in intertidal zone of Pacific beaches ....................... Bryothinusa Body fusiform, with dorsally broadly rounded pronotum and
abdomen tapering from base to relative acute apex; head hypognathus;
pronotal hypomera not visible in lateral view; posterolateral margin
of elytron sinuate; usually riparian, along margins of freshwater
streams, lakes and bogs ................. Myllaena6(3). Tarsal claws very slender, scythe-like; body form distinctive, with
large, broadly rounded head, very small eyes, head as wide or wider
than pronotum, pronotum strongly narrowed behind; elytra much shorter
than pronotum; abdomen broadly oval in dorsal outline, at widest point
wider than elytra; in intertidal zone of Pacific beaches (tribe
DIGLOTTINI) ....... Diglotta Tarsal claws normal, not scythe-like; body form not exactly as above;
not normally found in intertidal zone of beaches ................ 77(6). Mesocoxae broadly separated; mesocoxal process broad and
subtruncate apically 8 Mesocoxae narrowly separated; mesocoxal process narrow,
subtriangular ..... Silusa8(7). Body form distinctive, very broad and flattened; head transverse,
1.7 times as wide as long or more; pronotum very transverse, 1.7 times
as wide as long or more; abdomen more or less tapered from broad base
to narrow apex; inside webs covering hepialid burrows in trees ..... Tachiona Body form more generalized, not markedly broad or flattened; head
not more than 1.2 times as wide as long; pronotum not more than
1.4 times as wide as long; abdomen more or less parallel-sided; not
found inside hepialid moth webs ...... Diestota9(2). Associated with intertidal zone of Pacific seashores ........ 10 Not usually associated with intertidal shores of Pacific seashores ...... 1410(9). Anterior and middle tibia distinctly spinose (tribe ATHETINI, part) .... Thinusa Anterior and middle tibia without spines (tribes PHYTOSINI,
LIPAROCEPHALINI) .............. 1111(10). Mesocoxae moderately broadly separated by broad meso- and
metasternal processes ..... Thinobiosis Mesocoxae contiguous ................ 1212(11). Ligula bifid; elytra longer than pronotum; hind wings present;
mesosternum not shortened .... 13 Ligula simple, entire apically; elytra much shorter than
pronotum; hind wings absent; mesosternum very shortened
(mesosternal length less than half mesocoxal width) .......... Diaulota13(12). Two medial setae present on prementum; hypoglossa not distinct .......... Cameronium One medial seta present on prementum; hypoglossa distinct, with
long spines ...... Salinamexus14(9). Body form distinctive, very gracile, falagrioid in appearance; legs
and antennae long and slender; head with distinct neck; apical antennal
article white; pronotum broadest in anterior 1/3, narrower than elytra
at base, with distinct mid-longitudinal impression; mesocoxae widely
separated; base of abdomen narrower than elytra; abdominal terga III-V
with deep transverse impressions; abdominal sterna III-V with moderate
to deep transverse impressions, impressions with numerous distinct
longitudinal carinulae or large punctures (tribe AUTALIINI, part) ....... Gansia Without above combination of characteristics ...... 1515(14). Abdominal terga III-V with deep cavernous transverse
impressions (tribe AUTALIINI, part) ..... Ophioglossa Abdominal terga III-V without deep cavernous transverse
impressions ..... 1616(15). Head with narrow neck leas than 1/3 width of head; mesocoxal
cavities not margined behind; pronotum with 4 sub-basal foveae; each
elytron with two basal foveae; abdominal terga III-V with large carina
medially and smaller carinae laterally in transverse basal impressions
(tribe AUTALIINI, part) ..... Autalia Without above combination of features ..... 1717(16). Body form rather generalized, elongate and relatively convex
in cross section; head without distinct neck; labial palpi distinctly 3-articled;
ligula elongate, parallel-sided, bifid in apical 1/3; males with distinctive
combination of secondary sexual features - abdominal terga VII-VIII with
small medial knob or carina; abdominal tergum VIII broadly emarginate,
apex of emargination with numerous small denticles; apical margin of
abdominal sternum VI with small triangular lobe medially; abdominal
sternum VII with distinctive medial concentration of setose glandular
pores medially (often overlapped by triangular lobe of sternum VI);
abdominal sternum VIII prolonged as broad triangular process (tribe
HOMALOTINI: BOLITOCHARINA) ...... Hongophila Without above combination of features ...... 1818(17). Mesocoxae broadly separated by broad mesosternal and
metasternal processes .... 19 Mesocoxae narrowly, or not, separated, mesosternal and
metasternal processes narrow ...... 2519(18). Antenna short and very thick externally, article 5 distinctly
transverse, articles 6-10 very strongly transverse; pronotum very
strongly transverse, about 2 times as wide as long; mesosternum
extended considerably between the coxal cavities, metasternum
only slightly extended between the coxal cavities; apices of mesosternal
and metasternal processes separated by a very long isthmus;
mesocoxae incompletely margined behind, raised line delimiting
metacoxal process extended only slightly forward between the coxae
(from Fenyes 1918-23) ...... Hoplomicra Without above combination of features; meso-metasternal processes
contiguous or fused; mesocoxae completely margined behind
(tribe HOMALOTINI: GYROPHAENINA) ...... 2020(19). Ligula short, broadly rounded, entire; labium with 2 medial setae;
body rather robust and densely pubescent ....... Probrachida Ligula more or less protruded and parallel-sided, entire or apically
bifid; labium usually with 1 medial seta; species not robust or
densely pubescent, or, if robust (e.g. Brachychara), then body not
densely pubescent ..... 2121(20). Ligula bifid at apex ...... 22 Ligula entire ...... 2322(21). Body moderately flattened, not robust, more or less uniformly
covered with short setae; setal patch of tergum X chevron-shaped, but
setae not in 1-3 distinct rows ...... Agaricomorpha Body very robust, broadly oval in cross section; subglabrous; setal
patch of tergum X chevron-shaped, setae in 1-3 distinct rows ....... Brachychara23(21). Prothorax markedly transverse, 2 times as wide as long or more;
setal patch on tergum X in a distinct V-shaped row; antenna of most
specimens short, with antennomeres 4-10 markedly transverse, forming
a loose parallel-sided club ..... Eumicrota Prothorax less transverse, 1.2-1.7 times as wide as long in most
specimens; setal patch of tergum X more or less square; antenna
various ...... 2424(23). Eyes extremely large, occupying most of lateral margins of
head ...... Phanerota Eyes moderate in size ........ Gyrophaena25(18). Ligula broadly rounded; pronotum broadly transverse, 1.5 times as
wide as long or wider (tribe PLACUSINI) ...... 26 Ligula elongate; pronotum less transverse, not wider than 1.34 times
as wide as long (tribe HOMALOTINI: HOMALOTINA)..... 2726(25). Head quadrate, with distinct neck; pronotum with humeral angles
broadly rounded, short sides almost straight behind humeral angles, posterior
angles distinct, base strongly arcuate; abdominal tergum VII much longer
than VI .... Euvira Head transverse, without distinct neck; pronotum with distinct humeral
angles, sides broadly rounded, posterior angles distinct, base evenly
curved or arcuate; abdominal tergum VII not longer than VI ........ Placusa27(25). Head very flattened and elongate, temples at least 2 times as long as
eyes; anterior pronotal angles distinctly angulate, forming an angle of less
than 90 degrees; setae on tergum X organized into a single transverse
row ... Cephaloxynum Head not dramatically flattened and elongate, temples not more
than 1.2 times as long as eye; anterior pronotal angle less angulate,
forming an angle of 90 degrees or more; setae on tergum X not
organized into a single transverse row .... Homalota

KEY K

Key to the Mexican genera with 4-4-4 tarsal segmentation, including the tribes
Hypocyphtini, Oxypodini (Meoticina, in part), Saphoglossini and Termitonannini)

1. Antenna 11-articled, more or less filiform and elongate, apical
segments not forming a club; hind coxa without lamella covering base
of femur .... 2 Antenna 10-articled, apical antennal articles enlarged to form a
loose to distinct club; hind coxa with lamella covering base of
femur (tribe HYPOCYPHTINI) ..... 52(1). Body distinctly sub-limuloid to fusiform, body tapering from
broad pronotum and elytra to more-or-less apically pointed abdomen;
tarsal claws not falcate ....... 3 Body not sublimuloid, parallel sided or pronotum narrower than
elytra and abdomen; tarsal claws falcate (tribe OXYPODINI:
MEOTICINA) ...... 43(2). Mesocoxal cavities widely separated; not known to occur with
termites (tribe SAPHOGLOSSINI) (genus NOT RECORDED from
Mexico) ..... Barychara Mesocoxal cavities narrowly separated; associated with
Nasutitermes nigriceps (Mexican species only) (tribe
TERMITONANNINI) .... Termitocola4(2). Pronotal pubescence pattern with all hairs directed cephalad;
head and pronotum distinctly narrower than elytra (about 2/3 as broad);
pronotum slightly longer than broad; transverse impressions of
abdominal tergites 3-5 without reticulation ..... Bamona Pronotal pubescence pattern with hairs directed caudad and
laterad; head and pronotum only slightly narrower than elytra
(not less than 9/10 as broad); pronotum broader than long;
transverse impressions of abdominal tergites 3-5 reticulate ...... Alisalia5(1). Head very short and broad, almost 2 times as broad as long;
head strongly deflexed, hypognathus ........ Cypha Head not more than 1.6 times as wide as long; not or only
slightly deflexed ..... 66(5). Body more or less parallel sided, generalized; pronotal
hypomera visible in lateral view ...................................... Oligota Body broadly ovoid, robust; pronotal hypomera not visible
in lateral view .... Holobus

Footer