Key to the genera of Trichodectidae based on Lyal (1985:335-340)
work in progress!!
 
1 No abdominal spiracles present; majority of tergal and sternal setae at least two-thirds length of segment or, if not, median setal group on tergum II comprising at least three setae (and, frequently, median groups running together). New World. 2
At least one pair of abdominal spiracles present, or if not, majority of abdominal sternal and tergal setae less than two-thirds length of segment or median setal group on tergum II comprising only one seta. Old and New World. 3
 
2 Abdominal pleura II-IV with dorsal projections (Fig. #), though most apparent in females and sometimes very inconspicuous; male lacking tergocentral microsetae; latero-posteior corner of temle margin frequently with single long fine seta or one or two shorter, stout setae; female pedicel with dorsal membranous projections (Fig. #) (sometimes obscure). [Geomyidae] Geomydoecus s.l.
Abdominal pleura lacking dorsal projections, or single membranous projection present on pleurum IV only (Fig. #); male with tergocentral microsetae on abdominal terga II-VI (Fig. #); long seta frequently present on temple margin, but shorter stout setae not developed; female pedicel lacking any projections. [Mustelidae, Procyonidae, Bradypodidae] Neotrichodectes
 
3 Five pairs of abdominal spiracles present, vulval margin sclerotised, with or without setal tubercles, and meeting gonopophyses smoothly; subgenital lobe present; parameres not fused to b.a.l.s.; mesomeres absent; postcoxale absent; abdominal segments II-V with median setal group present, comprising of at least three setae. [Musteldae] Trichodectes part
Other than five pairs of abdominal spiracles present, though spiracles on segment VIII may be very small, inconspicuous and possibly non-functional. 4
 
4 Abdominal pleura V-VI (at least) lacking setae 5
Abdominal pleura III-VIII (at least) with posterior setal row and, sometimes, anterior setae 7
 
5 Abdominal tergal setae on segments I-VI less than half length of segment, shorter than postero-lateral setae; pleura V-VI lacking setae (Fig. #); male flagellum with two basally-articulated teeth; mesomeres present, unfused; parameres fused, with distinct inturned apices arising from plate (Fig. #); subgenital lobe bifrucate, with long basal lateral process (Fig #). [Mustelidae] Trichodectes part
At least some setae on abdominal terga I-III as long or longer than segment and postero-lateral seta, and postero-lateral setae sometimes absent; pleura IV-VII (at least) lacking setae (Fig. #); male flagellum lacking "teeth"; mesomeres absent; parameres unfused or united at base only; subgenital lobe not bifrucate or only slightly so; basal proesses of subgenital lobe absent or, if present, not long (Fig. #) [Lutrinae] 6
 
6 Posterior setal row present on pleurum III; parameres slender, rod-like, fused basally (Figs. ##); subgenital lobe lacking basal lateral processes; gonophophyses lacking setal tubercules (Fig. #) Lutridia
Posterior setal row not present on pleurum III; parameres broad, not fused to each other (Fig. #); subgenital lobe with basal lateral processes; gonopophyses with setal tubercles (Fig. #) Neolutridia
 
7 Ventral vulval margin meets gonopophyses smoothly, joined by sclerotised band; subgenital lobe present, frequently with basal lateral processes; sternal setae on at least segments III-VI attaining or nearly attaining base of following setal row; dorsum of head with setae sparse; male scape expanded or, if not, parameres fused to b.a.l.s. 8
Ventral vulval margin meets gonopophyses acutely or, if meeting smoothly, not joined by sclerotised band; sternal setae on segments III-VI not attaining base of following setal row, usually less than three-quarters length of segment or, if longer, either female genitalia not as described and dorsum of head with dense setal covering; or male scape not expanded and parameres not fused to b.a.l.s. 9
 
8 Pleurum IV with dorsal projection; anterior setae present on abdominal terga and sterna. [Ursidae] Werneckodectes
Pleurum IV without dorsal projection; anterior setae not present on abdominal terga and sterna. [Mustelidae, Procyonidae, Canidae, Viverridae, Ursidae] Trichodectes part
 
9 Posterior setal row of pleurum III with setae stouter than those of p.s.r. of pleurum V (Fig. ##) or, if not, species with four pairs of abdominal spiracles; otherwise species with 0. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 6 pairs; subgenital lobe present; gonopophyses with lobe present. 10
Posterior setal row of pleurum III with setae not stouter than those of p.s.r. of pleurum V; six pairs of abdominal spiracles present; if gonopophyses with lobe then subgenital lobe absent. 11
 
10 Abdominal spiracles numbering 6, 4, or 0 pairs; if no abdominal spiracles present, then female with gonopore surrounded by spicular refingent patch, or gonaphophysis lobe comprising two fused tubercles, or antennal sensilla pit with peripheral tounge-like projections; female subgenital loge frequently with overlapping scales or spines; male mesomeral arch always present, with median extension or two apical nipples; mesomeres produced basally between b.a.l.s. or, if not, antennal sensilla as described above; parameres usually broad, contacting mesomeres only, not b.a.l.s.; male abdominal tergum II lacking specialised setae of median group. Lorisicola s.l.
10´ Abdominal spiracles numbering 3, 2, 1 or 0 pairs; if no abdominal spiracles present, then female gonopore not surrounded by spicular refingent patch, gonopophysis lobe not comprising two fused setal tubercles; antennal sensilla of male and female neven in pit with peripheral tongue-like projections; female subgenital lobe never with overlapping scales or spines; male mesomeres fused, unfused or absent; if mesomeres fused, mesomeral arch never with median extension or apical nipples; parameres frequently narrow, rod-like, contacting mesomerees, b.a.l.s. or both; male abdominal tgergum II frequently with long, specialized setae. Felicola s.l.
 
11 Dorsal or ventral projection present on abdominal pleurum IV (Fig. #); mesomeral arch generally produced basally between b.a.l.s.; female antennal flagellomeres generally not fused, or only partially fused. [Procaviidae and Primates] 12
11´ Pleurum IV lacking any projection; mesomeral arch rarely produced basally between b.a.l.s.; female antennal flagellomeres generally fused, or if not, then female with long setal tufts on abdominal pleura VIII and IX. 16
 
12 Sitophore sclerite modified, with posterior arms extended (Fig. #) (sclerite difficult to see) 13
12´ Sitophore sclerite unmodified, with posterior arms extended (Fig. #) (sclerite generally not difficult to see)   14
 
13 Tarsal claws with ventral teeth or spines; temple margin with or without small rounded projection; pleural projection on abdominal pleurum IV not elongate. [Procaviidae] Dasyonyx s.l.
13´ Tarsal claws lacking ventral teeth or spines; temple margin with long, broad, triangular projection (Fig. #); pleural projection on abdominal pleurum IV long (Fig. #) [Procaviidae] Eurytrichodectes
 
14 Abdominal sternum II with broad, heavily-sclerotised band articulated with abdominal pleurum II (Fig. #); setal row of male scape comprising only two setae; basiparameral sclerites present. [Procaviidae] Procavicola s.l.
14´ Abdominal sternum II lacking sclerotised band or, if sclerotised band present, this is fused to abdominal pleurum II or medially broken; setal row of male scape numbering more than two setae; basiparmeral sclerites absent or, if present, thoracic spiracle with tubular atrium and female flagellomeres fused. 15
 
15 Atrium of thoracic spiracle spherical; mesomeral arch with median extension and lateral desclerotisations; gonopophyses with setal tubercles or, if not, postcoxale greatly developed and fused to abdominal pleurum II. [Procaviidae and Cercopithecidae] Procaviphilus s.l.
15´ Atrium of thoracic spiracle tubular; mesomeral arch lacking median extension and not desclerotised laterally; gonopophyses lacking setal tubercles or, if not, postcoxale not greatly developed and fused to abdominal pleurum II. [Cebidae] Cebidicola s.l.
 
16 Posterior margins of temple generally produced, very convex (Fig. #); very long setae present on at least pleurum VIII (Figs. ##), sometimes on pleurum VI (males) or IX (females); basiparameral sclerites present; mesomeral arch lacking extension if complete, otherwise tripartite, median part sometimes obscure (Figs. ##); if mesomeral arch entire, male genitalia as in Fig. #, temples not greatly produced, and female with two flagellomeres, otherwise female flagellomweres fused. [Erethizontidae] Eutrichophilus
16´ Temples not so developed; setae on pleurum VIII not exceptionally long; basiparameral sclerites present or absent; mesomeral arch, if present, with or without extension, but never tripartite; female flagellomeres fused. 17
 
17 Parameres narrow, rod-like and fused basally; mesomeral arch with broad lobe-like extension; b.a.l.s. widely divergent anteriorly (Fig. #); gonaphophyses with setal tubercles; pseudostyli absent. [Protelidae and Hyaenidae] Protelicola
17´ Paarameres not narrow and fused basally or, if so, then b.a.l.s. not widely divergent anteriorly; mesomeral arch without broad lobulate extension; gonapophyses lacking setal tubercles; pseudostyli frequently present. 18
 
18 Subgenital lobe present; endophallus with dense patch of regularly-arranged spicules or, it not, parameral plate with single apex (Fig. #); mesomeral arch entire, with abrupt bend to enable bases to meet parameres (Figs. ##), or mesomeres unfused and b.a.l.s. with anteposterior spur (Fig. #); interior face of male flagellum serrate (Fig. #); abdominal sterna never with anterior setae; long slender species. [Bovidae and Cervidae] Damalinia part
18´ Subgenital lobe absent, or if present, as a small flap (Fig. #) and species with anterior setae on abdominal sterna; sternum VII sometimes developed posteriorly into two projecting spikes (Fig. #); endophallus lacking spicular patch; parameres with apices free; mesomeres apically fused, unfused or absent, but abrupt bend no present; b.a.l.s. lacking anteposterior spur; interior face of male flagellum with or without serrations; broader species. 19
 
19 Dorsal face of vulva with pointed scales; gonapophyses hook-shaped (Fig. #); common oviduct, at branching point, with folded and more or less apparent collar, sometimw partially sclerotised and refracting transmitted light; mesomeres unfused; abdominal pleurum never extending ventrally ont abdominal sternum II; interior face of male flagellum serrate. [Bovidae and Cervidae] Damalinia part
19´ Dorsal face of vulva lacking pointed scales; gonapophyses not hook-shaped or, if they are, then abdominal pleurum II extending onto sternum II (Fig.#); common oviduct lacking collar as described above; mesomeres fused, unfused, or absent; interior face of male flagaellum with or without serrations. 20
 
20 Abdominal pleurum II with sclerite extending onto sternum II and occasionally tergum II, sometimes at the expense of sternite or tergite (Fig #); mesomeres unfused, may be fused to parameres and apparently absent; pseudostyli absent, or if present; broard or narrow (Figs. ##); interior face of male flagellum serrate. [Bovidae] Damalinia part
20´ Abdominal pleurum II not extending onto sternum II; mesomeres fused, unfused or absent; pseudostyli, if present, not as figured above; interior face of male flagellum lacking serrations. 21
 
21 Atria of abdominal spiracles large, clear; mesomeral arch fused to b.a.l.s.; parameres broad, asymmetrically deflected (Fig. #); thorax with setae spare dorsally in female, but male with median patch of setae on prothorax; head elongate, trapeziod, with deep osculum present (Fig. #) [Tragulidae] Targulicola
21´ Atria of abdominal spiracles not large; mesomeral arch not fused to b.a.l.s. or, if it is, parameres and mesomeres also fused (Fig. #); parameres not broad or asymmetrically deflected; thoracic setae less sparse, but male thorax lacking central setal patch; head not elongate, but rounded, osculum absent or, if present, not deep (Fig. #). 22
 
22 Parameres fused to mesomeres (Fig. #); pseudostyli present, apically angular (Fig. #); gonophyses broad, truncate (Fig. #); osculum absent, but anterior margin of head slightly flattened or concave medially, with hyaline border where pluvinus attains margin. [Bovidae] Bisonicola
22´ Parameres not fused to mesomeres; pseudostyli, if present, apically rounded; gonopophyses not broad, and with lobe variably apparent, or if gonopophyses broad and truncate, then pluvinus not attaining anterior margin of head, which is smoothly rounded and lacks a median hyaline border. 23
 
23 Gonopophyses broad, truncate; mesomeres of characteristic pentagonal form (Fig. #). [Equidae and Bovidae] Werneckiella
23´ Gonopophyses with more or less discrete lobe (Figs. ##); mesomeres, if present, not pentagonal; base of parameres frequently heavily block-like. [Bovidae, Cervidae, and Camelidae] Bovicola s.l.
  
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