55 



Hybosoridae (Howden & Gill 1988; d'Hotman & Scholtz 1990b; Nel & Scholtz 1990; 

 Scholtz 1990). Analysis of wing articulation and wing base characters supports such a 

 relationship (Browne & Scholtz 1995). 



Hybosoridae share 12 apomorphic character states of the wing articulation and wing base 

 with Geotrupidae. Ochodaeidae and Ceratocanthidae (Browne & Scholtz 1995). 



Ceratocanthidae 



Introduction 



The Ceratocanthidae are a small family with pantropical distribution. Species occur mainly 

 in forests in Asia (three genera; 58 species), Africa (11 genera, 41 species) and America 

 (three genera: unknown number of species, Paulian 1977a; 1978), as well as on various 

 islands. The southern African and Australian ceratocanthids were recently revised by 

 Paulian (1977a,b, 1978). 



Hind Wing Articulation Description 



First Axillary (Fig. 87) 



Head - Dorsal surface normal size; convex. Antero-dorsal margin oriented moderately 

 postero-distad; normal width; weakly deplanate. Antero -proximal margin very strongly 

 enlarged ventrally. Postero -proximal margin weakly enlarged proximally. FSc2 base 

 normal width; long. Apex oriented anteriad; moderately narrow. Anterior surface broad; 

 very long; not waisted medially. FScl very weak; very small; slender; fused to the 

 proximal margin of the ventral projection. Dorsal and ventral surfaces convex. Apex acute. 

 Ventral projection tapers from base to apex; short but of average width; deeply concave; 

 oriented disto-ventrad and curved posteriad. Dorsal surface concave. Ventral surface 

 convex. Apex narrow and broadly truncate. Concavity located in the preapical area; 

 surrounded by three unequally strong ridges. Distal embayment oriented dorsad; narrow; 

 concave. FSc2 oriented strongly dorsad and weakly distad; falcate; very convex; narrow. 

 Dorsal surface convex. Ventral surface convex. Apex aciculate. Dorsal margin not 

 enlarged. Head and neck dorsal surface strongly curved dorsad. Apex aciculate. 



Neck normal width and length; weakly oriented antero-distad; broadly articulated with 

 2 Ax; continuous with tail. Proximal margin moderately curved ventrad. Distal margin 

 concave. Distal embayment moderately concave; broad. 



Tail - Dorsal view: Proximal arch normal size; extended posteriad and proximad; convex. 

 Apex very weakly curved ventrad. Dorsal surface weakly concave. Antero -proximal 

 margin concave. Postero-proximal margin convex. Articulation with PRR extends along 

 the entire length of the proximal arch; strong; long and moderately broad; moderately 

 recurved. Antero-dorsal and postero-dorsal surfaces concave. Posterior margin concave. 

 Distal arch normal size. Apex very weakly curved ventrad and posteriad; aciculate. Distal 

 margin straight. - Ventral view: Proximal arch with a small ridge. Posterior margin with 

 a prominent ridge. Distal margin with a very small ridge. 



