194 Rowland M. Shelley 



Selenocheir Chonaphe Semionellus Metaxycheir Tubaphe Montaphc 



Figure 72. Relationships in the Chonaphini. 



sinuata was previously misidentified as Isaphe tersa (Cook), a member 

 of the Harpaphini (Causey 1955, Buckett 1964), because of key similarities 

 between Selenocheir, particularly S. directa, and Isaphe (= Hybaphe). 

 In /. tersa, as in all harpaphines, the coxa is larger than the telopodal 

 elements in overall bulk, and the latter is oriented transversely on the 

 prefemur so as to project directly mediad; the telopodal elements 

 therefore extend directly toward the viewer in medial aspect, so as to 

 provide a head-on perspective rather than a profile (Shelley 1993^). 

 In S. directa, the coxa is proportionately the largest in the genus, 

 being only slightly smaller than the telopodite, and the telopodal 

 elements are directed anteromediad, or about midway between a head- 

 on view, as in the Harpaphini, and a profile, as in chonaphine genera 

 like Tubaphe and Montaphe. Consequently, S. directa, and to a lesser 

 extent the entire genus Selenocheir, span the anatomical gaps between 

 the Chonaphini and Harpaphini, and if future workers conclude that 

 they should be merged, the former name holds priority. As the Asiatic 

 representatives of the Harpaphini have not been reviewed, and their 

 characteristics are poorly known in contrast to the American forms, I 

 believe a decision on this potential merger should be deferred until 

 the Oriental genera are better understood. Suffice it to say for now 

 that the Chonaphini is closely related to the Harpaphini, and that the 

 component taxa of both groups demonstrate a broad range of expressions 

 of a suite of anatomical features. 



Generic and Specific — Two obvious chonaphine lineages are 

 apparent — one with expanded, laminate prefemoral processes and acicular 

 acropodites {Chonaphe + Semionellus), and one in which the prefemoral 

 process is narrow and blade-like, and the acropodite broader and less 



