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11. CJroup Micropeplini . 



(Kraatz Ins. D. II, 104S. - Micropeplidae Thorns. Skand. Col. I, 71; 

 Micropeplides Muls. et Rey Bre'vip. 1863, 153.- I-ticropeplinae Janglb. Kaf. 

 M. II, 765). 



One from the rest of the staphylinids in many regards considerably 

 deviating group, which by Thomson is placed in the nearness of Nitiduladae 

 as a separate family. 



The antennae are only 9- jointed, anci the last joint forms a proporti- 

 onately large, sharply set off distal knob. Prothorax anteriorly at each 

 side with a deep groove for reception of the antennae, and is entirely 

 chitinized withcovered spiracula; fore-coxae small and not prominent, 

 hind coxae likewise small, round, and as well as the middle-coxae broadly 

 separated; tarsi 3-jointed. 



To this only 1 European genus. 



125. Jenus f.iicropeplus Latr. 



(Latr. Oen. Crust. Ins. IV, 377; Erichs. Kaf. Mk. Br. I, 646; Jen. Spec. 

 Staph. 911; Kraatz Ins. D. II, 1050; Thorns. Skand. Col. IV, 195; Rey Bre'vip. 

 1883, 153; Janglb. Kaf. M. II, 766). 



The body (Fig. 193) is oblong-oval, dorsally and ventrally slightly 

 convex, the dorsum is distinguished by a peculiar, foveate, somewhat rib- 

 bed sculpture, which inter alia, makes it easy to identify this genus a- 

 mong all other s taph.v llnids . The head is very much narrower than pronotum, 

 short triangular, and up to the prominent eyes imbedded in pronotum; an- 



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