324 
Psyche 
[September 
less extended backwards. Moreover, it is the only species in Coecopria 
with rudiments of wings. C. pygmea is considered apomorphous for 
strong morphological reduction of antennae (9-segmented) ? tarsi (4- 
segmented) and suture between prothorax and mesoscutum. C. bella 
exhibits both the highest degree of reduction of mesosoma (all sutures 
fused) and highest specialization in the horseshoe-shaped fold of 
great sternite. 
Table I 
Character 
Austropria 
Coecopria 
Antennal segments 
11 
10(2 spp.) or 9(1 sp.) 
Maxillary palpi 
5 
1 
Labial palpi 
2 
0 
Eyes 
only slightly 
reduced but 
functioning 
reduced to one ommatidium 
point devoid of function 
Ocelli 
reduced yet well 
defined 
absent 
Propodeum 
separated from 
thorax by deep 
cleavage 
separated (2 spp.) or 
fused with thorax (1 sp.) 
Suture between 
very faint yet 
present (1 sp.) or 
prothorax and 
mesoscutum 
developed 
fused (2 spp.) 
Tarsi 
5 
5 (2 spp.) 4 (1 sp.) 
Punctulation of 
incomplete, uneven 
complete, even, the 
head 
and less dense 
punctures contiguous 
Great sternite 
no specialization 
horseshoe-shaped fold 
extending back to 1/3 of 
sternite (2 spp.) or down 
to very apex of sternite 
(1 sp.) 
The high degree of morphological reduction on the one hand 
( Austropria, Coecopria) and the peculiar specialization of the great 
sternite on the other hand ( Coecopria ) are interpreted as potential 
adaptations to special behaviour and habitat. Unfortunately, this 
can be only guessed at, as no ecological or biological data are avail- 
able both for Austropria and Coecopria. Particularly in Coecopria 
these adaptations are really striking and we may speculate about 
