Bdellidae

Theron, Elizabeth Omukunda Pieter D & Ueckermann, E A, 2012, Spinibdella Thor (Acari: Bdellidae) from southern Africa: descriptions of five new species and the redescription of S. thori (Meyer & Ryke), Zootaxa 3304, pp. 1-24 : 2

Bdellidae : key to subfamilies and genera

1. Hypostome with six/seven or eleven pairs of prominent ventral setae without well-developed genital tracheae............ 2

- Hypostome with two pairs of prominent ventral setae; well-developed genital tracheae..............................10

2. Hypostome with six/seven pairs of prominent ventral setae.................................................... 3

- Hypostome with eleven pairs of prominent ventral setae (Polytrichinae)................. Polytrichus Van der Schyff et al.

3. Trichobothrium present on tibia II......................................................... (Odontoscirinae)...4

- Trichobothrium absent on tibia II.............................................................. (Bdellinae)...9

4. Each chelicera with more than two setae (8-20 setae)........................................ Neomolgus Oudemans

- Each chelicera with one or two seta (seldom three)........................................................... 5

5. Lateral prodorsal seate (ve) present (four pairs of prodorsal setae)............................... Octobdellodes Atyeo

- Lateral prodorsal seate (ve) absent (three pairs of prodorsal setae)...............................................6

6. Trichobothria sci short less than quarter length of sce, basal part of latter modified and and usually enlarged................................................................................................. Thoribdella Grandjean

- Trichobothria sci short longer, more than third length of sce, basal part of latter not modified.......................... 7

7. Cheliceral bases inflated; hypostome with prominent lips, proximal cheliceral seta closer to distal seta than to base of chelicera...................................................................................... Odontoscirus Thor

- Cheliceral bases not inflated; hypostome without prominent lips, usually one cheliceral seta, if two then proximal cheliceral seta closer to base than to distal seta....................................................................... 8

8. Anterior and posterior trichobothria different, posterior pair longer, not appressed to surface of prodorsum, prodorsum with central striae longitudinal.................................................................. Hoploscirus Thor

- Anterior and posterior trichobothria similar, posterior pair in goblet-shaped sockets and trichobothria short, appressed to sur- face of prodorsum, prodorsum with central striae longitudinal or transverse........................ Bdellodes Oudemans

9. Trichobothria on tibiae I and IV and tarsi III and IV.............................................. Bdella Latreille

- Trichobothria on tibiae I and IV and tarsus III.......................................... Hexabdella Van der Schyff

10. Chelicerae normal to inflated; movable chela sickle shaped; unpaired seta directly anterior to genital opening........................................................................................................ (Cytinae)...11

- Chelicerae elongated; movable chela reduced and needle-like; unpaired seta, if present, between coxae IV.................................................................................................... (Spinibdellinae)…12

11. Integument soft, striated; chelae massive...................................................... Cyta Von H eyd en

- Integument rather heavily sclerotized, chelae normal......................................................... 12

12. Integument armoured, pitted; chelae with teeth............................................. Trachymolgus Berlese

- Integument striate; chelae without teeth....................................................... Rigibdella Tseng

13. Legs with four trichobothria, one each on tibiae I and IV and tarsi III and IV...................................... 14

- Legs with only two trichobothria, one each on tarsi III and IV.......................... Tetrabdella Hernandes & Feres

14. External vertical setae present; palp tibiotarsus truncate (expanded distally).......................... Spinibdella Thor

- External vertical setae absent; palp tibiotarsus cylindrical, elongate............................................. 15

15. Palp tibiotarsus with two long distal setae................................................................. 16

- Palp tibiotarsus with one long distal seta........................................ Monotrichobdella Baker & Balock

16. Prodorsum with median eye; chelicerae with two denticles on movable chela.................... Neobiscirus Gomelauri

- Prodorsum without median eye; chelicerae without denticles on movable chela........................... Biscirus Thor

(After Baker & Wharton 1952; Atyeo 1960, 1963; Wallace & Mahon 1972; Van der Schyff et al. 2004, 2005; Hernandes & Feres 2006).