Synopsis of subfamilies with keys to genera

Subfamily Aleocharinae

Members of the Aleocharinae, the largest and most difficult subfamily, are usually quite small and often quite similar in appearance. All the species of staphylinids which can endure submergence in seawater, those of the rocky shores and coral reefs belong to this subfamily. Other species of this subfamily are found on the sandy beaches associated with wrack and a few are found on mud flats. This subfamily has been divided into tribes on the basis of mouthpart structure and tarsal segmentation. The latter is often difficult to see and not always reliable even within specific limits but no better system has been proposed.

KEY TO TRIBES OF ALEOCHARINAE

I. Antenna 10-segmented ......................................................................................Oligotini

Antennal 11-segmented .................................................................................................2

2. Outer lobe of maxilla entirely corneous, without pubescence on inner side...........Myllaenini

Outer lobe of maxilla partly membranous, with long pubescence on inner side................... 3

3. Posterior tarsus 4-segmented ...........................................................................Diglottini

Posteriortarsus5-segmented................................................. ........................................ 4

4. Middle tarsus 4-segmented ............................................... .........................Bolitocharini

Middletarsus5-segmented................................................. ........................................... 5

5. Anterior tarsus 4-segmented ............................................... ......................Myrmedoniini

Anteriortarsus5-segmented ................................................. .........................................6

6. Maxillary palpus 4-segmented. ............................................... .......................Oxypodini

Maxillary palpus 5-segmented. ............................................... .......................Aleocharini