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-13- It was later
reported by Sharp (1908) on the authority of Fauvel to be the same as Diestota testacea Kraatz. Blackburn
stated, 'The dissection... might possibly lead to the establishment of a new
genus.. .'. It is more than likely neither a Bolitochara
or a Diestota. Its true
identity will have to await further study. Tribe MyrmedoniiniThis tribe contains a large number of genera which are united largely on the basis of the number of tarsal segments, the anterior tarsi having 4 segments, the middle and posterior tarsi being composed of 5 segments. Numerous students have expressed the opinion that this is an artificial grouping not indicating true evolutionary relationships. However, it is the best we have at present. KEY TO GENERA OF MARINE MYRMEDONIINI I. Anterior coxae closed behind; pronotum
cordate.................................................... Falagria Anterior coxae open behind
............................................................................................2 2. Sternites I to 3 constricted or sulcate at base.
................................................... Tachyusa Sternites not constricted or sulcate.
..............................................................................3 3. Neck narrow, two-fifths as wide as head.
....................................................Myrmecopora Neck broad.
..................................................
.............................................................4 4. Middle coxae widely separated. .
.........................................................................Drusilla Middle coxae contiguous or narrowly separated.
.............................................................5 5. Pubescence of disc of pronotum longitudinal.
................................................Pontamalota Pubescence of disc of pronotum transverse.
...................................................................6 6. Ligula simple ..................................................
..................................................Acticola Ligula bifid.
..................................................
...............................................................7 7. Middle coxal cavities margined by a carina. ....................................................................8 Middle coxal cavities not margined .
..............................................................................9 8. Mandibles not greatly prominent.
...........................................................................Atheta Mandibles greatly prominent. .
.........................................................................Halobrecta 9. Labrum deeply emarginate
.................................................................................Iotarphia Labrum truncate
..................................................
............................................Tarphiota Falagria
Mannerheim. Members of this genus have a characteristic appearance known as 'falagroid'
which they share with numerous unrelated genera but no marine genera except Diglotta: the neck is slender with the
pronotum and abdomen constricted at base. The structure of the prosternum is
unusual. It is produced posteriorly between the anterior coxae and then
laterally to the hypomera completely closing the anterior coxal cavities.
This can usually be seen only by relaxing the specimen and lifting the coxa.
The genus is a rather large one with only one species, F. obscura Gravenhorst, reported by Fowler
(1888) from 'haystack refuse, decaying seaweed, and general vegetable
rubbish." Tachyusa Erichson. Like Falagria the species of this genus do not
normally |