s 



59 



1. lAx: FSc2 strongly oriented anteriad 



2. strikingly long and narrow. 



Ceratocanthidae share 12 apomorphic character states of the wing articulation and wing 

 base with Geotrupidae, Ochodaeidae and Hybosoridae (Browne & Scholtz 1995). 

 Ceratocanthids are closely related to Ochodaeidae and Hybosoridae. Hybosoridae are 

 generally considered to be the sister group of Ceratocanthidae (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). 



Ochodaeidae 



Introduction 



The Ochodaeidae consist of two subfamilies, eight genera and approximately 80 species. 

 The family has a virtually cosmopolitan distribution, with the genus Ochodaeus Serville 

 occurring in Africa, North and South America, Madagascar, Europe, the Orient and on 

 Oriental and Palaearctic Islands. Pseudochodaeus Carlson & Ritcher occurs in the western 

 USA, Namibiotalpa Scholtz & Evans is restricted to sandy areas of the Namib Desert, 

 Codocera Eschscholtz is widespread in eastern Europe and Enodognathus Benderitter 

 occurs on Madagascar. The latter four genera are monotypic. Chaetocanthus Pringuey and 

 Synochodaeus Kolbe are endemic to southern Africa, as is Odontochodaeus Paulian to 

 Madagascar (Scholtz et al. 1988). Other important works on the Ochodaeidae are those 

 of Carlson (1975) and Carlson & Ritcher (1974). 



Hind Wing Articulation Description 



First Axillary (Fig. 94) 



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. 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 ventrad 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 rounded. 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; extremely narrow. Dorsal 

 surface very convex; not enlarged. Ventral surface convex. Apex aciculate. Head and neck 

 dorsal surface strongly curved dorsad. 



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. 



