Key to the genera of the family Niphargidae

(modified from G. Karaman 2016)

1. Mandibular palpus well developed, consisting of 3 articles.................................................... 2

- Mandibular palpus reduced, consisting of one small article.............. Chaetoniphargus G. Karaman & Sket, gen. nov.

2. Antenna 1, accessory flagellum 1-articulate................................................................ 3

- Antenna 1 accessory flagellum 2-articulate................................................................ 6

3. Maxilla 1 palpus consisting of one article.............................................. Niphargobates Sket, 1981

- Maxilla 1 palpus consisting of 2 articles................................................................... 4

4. Uropod 3 outer ramus consisting of one short article........................................ Carinurella Sket, 1971

- Uropod 3 outer ramus consisting of 2 articles............................................................... 5

5. Mandibular palpus partially reduced, bearing distal E-setae only. Body slender, elongated..................................................................................................... Microniphargus Schellenberg, 1934

- Mandibular palpus well developed, article 3 subfalciform, with at least D and E-setae. Body shaped for rolling into a ball..................................................................................... Karamaniella Sket, 1962

6. Uropod 3 outer ramus consisting of 1 article............................................................... 7

- Uropod 3 outer ramus consisting of 2 articles............................................................... 8

7. Maxilla 1 palpus consisting of 1 shortened article............................... Niphargobatoides G. Karaman 2016

- Maxilla 1 palpus well developed, consisting of 2 articles....................... Haploginglymus Mateus & Mateus 1958

8. Uropod 3 inner ramus well developed, long, exceeding half of outer ramus................ Pontoniphargus Dancau, 1970

- Uropod 3 inner ramus short, more or less scale-like, much shorter than first article of outer ramus..................... 9

9. Maxilliped palpus article 4 with 3 distal nails (maxilla 1 outer plate with numerous pectinate slender spines).......................................................................................... Exniphargus G. Karaman 2016

- Maxilliped palpus article 4 with one, exceptionally 2 distal nails.............................................. 10

10. Maxilla 1 outer plate with over 20 pectinate spine.................................... Niphargopsis Chevreux, 1922

- Maxilla 1 outer plate with 7-8, rarely up to 10 simple or pectinate spines....................................... 11

11. Mandibular palpus article 3 partially reduced, bearing distal E-setae only............... Niphargellus Schellenberg, 1938 .

- Mandibular palpus article 3 well developed, subfalciform, with at least D and E setae.............................. 12

12. Maxilliped inner and outer plate short and broad; maxilla 2 both plates short and broad; maxilla 1 inner plate strong, broader than palpus, outer plate with 9–10 pectinate spines, palpus short, not exceeding basis of outer plate spine.......................................................................................... Foroniphargus G. Karaman, 1985

- Maxilliped inner and outer plate slender; maxilla 2 both plates slender; maxilla 1 inner plate is slender, narrowed distally, outer plate with 7–9 simple to pectinate spines, palpus longer, exceeding basis of outer plate spines..... Niphargus Schiǒdte 1849