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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 |