1985] Smith & Valentine — Grooming behavior in cockroaches 383 
development of a more waxy cuticle capable of shedding most par- 
ticulates more efficiently than that of other roaches, or perhaps this 
species never evolved more complex grooming. 
Antenna Clean is the grooming movement which clearly shows a 
distinction among roaches. The data suggest that the Blaberidae, 
though superficially diverse in morphology and habitat, form a spe- 
cialized, cohesive group separate from other roaches. Cause for the 
change in mode of antennal cleaning may lie in the recent evolution- 
ary surge of Blaberidae, but the actual selective pressures are not 
known. 
The absence of data from the fifth family, Polyphagidae, is regret- 
table. Since they are the most primitive family of Blaberoidea, logi- 
cally they should group with Cryptocercidae, Blattidae, and 
Blattellidae in antennal cleaning technique. 
Acknowledgments 
Thanks to Stephen A. Smith for his assistance in collecting spec- 
imens of Cryptocercus punctulatus, to an unnamed reviewer who 
clarified various points, and especially to Dr. Louis M. Roth whose 
knowledge of Blattaria resulted in an outstanding review and many 
useful comments. 
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