ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF SPONGIPHORIDAE (=LABIIDAE) WITH A LIST OF SPECIES

Burr's (1911) key to the subfamilies was mainly based upon the characters of elytra, antennal segments and the length of eye in relation to post-ocular area. His key was;: in use with slight modification by Popham and Brindle (1967, 1967a) and Steinmann (1976). Generally various families were ,divided into two major groups on the basis elytra being carinate or ecarinate. But the subfamily Pericominae did not fit in any of the above groups since the elytra lack a well defined keel on the costal margin and in its place a row of small tubercles is present and from each arises a thick seta.


INTRODUCTION
The family Spongiphoridae is mainly characterised by the presence of simple 2nd tarsal segment (not lobed) and single proparamere.On the basis of 2nd tarsal segment it could be easily separated from Chelisochidae and Forficulidae.Burr's (1911) key to the subfamilies was mainly based upon the characters of elytra, antennal segments and the length of eye in relation to post-ocular area.His key was;: in use with slight modification by Popham andBrindle (1967, 1967a) and Steinmann (1976).Generally various families were ,divided into two major groups on the basis elytra being carinate or ecarinate.But the subfamily Pericominae did not fit in any of the above groups since the elytra lack a well defined keel on the costal margin and in its place a row of small tubercles is present and from each arises a thick seta.
After a careful study it was found that the shape of hind tarsi especially the 2nd tarsal segment and the lelative length of all the three segments in combination with other ~haracters could be utilised for formulating a key for the satisfactory discrimination of various subfamilies.
Hitherto Spongiphorinae and Labiinae were considered as close.But it may be mentioned here that members of the subfamily Spongiphorinae belonging to the genera SpDngDvostox Burr and Marava Burr, possess hind 2nd tarsal segment slightly longer than broad, strongly narrowed posteriorly and is about half as long as the third.Besides, first segment is slightly shorter than the combined length of second and third.According to the information available through literature same condition is found amongst the members of the genus Spongiphora Serville-the type of Spongiphorinae.
In~the light of the above, Spongiphorinae comes close to Homotaginae and can be discriminated from each other by the relative length of hind tarsal segments.In

Records of the Zoological Survey o/Indla
Homotaginae hind second tarsal segment, in profile, is of uniform width and only scarcely narrowed basally and first segment is slightly longer than the combined length of last two segments.
A new subfamily Rudraxinae is ere:ted for the reception of a new genus and species, viz., Rudrax brind/ei, from China.It is mainly charcterised by the elytra having a sharp keel along the costal margin.It comes close to Ra~amurthiinae, but differs by the pilose body and tibiae compressed, at extreme apex slightly grooved.Srivastava (1985) has described two subfamilies viz., Homotaginae and Irdexinae besides construction of a key for the discrimination of various subfamilies utilising for the first time the shape of the hind tarsi, especially the second tarsal segment and the reJative length of all the three segments in combination with other characters.
It may be mentioned here that the genus Labia Leach, 1853 as defined by Steinmann (1990) contains now those species which possess para meres with a median incesion thus dividing it into two, external and internal lobes.And the remaining species 'with parameres entire, i. e., not divided vertically were included under Para/abella Steinmann, 1990, Cireo/abia Steinmann, 1987, Spiro/abia Steinmann, 1987and Paraspania Steinmann, 1985.Last three were, however, mainly characterised by the shape and arrangement of virga.Srivastava (1992) has already pointed out, while discussing the validity of various genera of Pygidicranidae, that genera based upon such characters will not stand.Accodiogly, Paraspania is placed as synonym of Chaetospania.Besides, Circolabia is treated as valid with Paralabella and S pirolabia as its synonym since it has priority.It will now be characterised as "externally similar to Labia with para meres entire and, virga of various types".Steinmann (1990) has placed Chaetospania under Sparattinae on the grounds of ecological similarity.But this reason does not seem plausible since members of Spongiphorinae, Labiinae and of above subfamily occur in the same habitat, i, e., under loose bark of logs and stems.For this reason it is proposed to transfer Chaetospania under Labiinae.Members of this genus although possess depressed head, abdominal tergites are weakly convex unlike those of Spara ttinae which are strongly depressed including head.
The size of eye in relation to post-ocular area of head as a valid character , .. seems to be doubtful.It is found to be variable intra specifically in sevaral species.At present it is being used to separate various genera pending availability of some other more constant characters.However, in the present arrangement it has been possible to a void this character in discriminating various subfamilies.
It may be mentioned here that Srivastava (in press) has already transferred Isolaboidinae under Anisolabididae since proparameres are paired.In extreme cases it may apparently look unpaired due to great enlargement of distal lobe of one side covering almost both the halves of proparameres.Generally virga of only one side is well developed and on the other side it may be absent or greatly reduced.Besides, all other external morphological characteristics suggest its inclusion in this family.

(2)
. Elytra without a sharp ridge along the costal margin 6 (7).Elytra granular, along the costal margin with a row of small tubercles, each bearing a short or long thick setae ; tarsi long and slender; 1st segment five times or more longer than its width Pericominae Burr 7 (6).Elytra smooth or punctulate, ecarinate along the costal margin and without tubercles or setae; tarsi shorter, 1 st segment three to four times longer than its width Diagnostic characters: Build normal; body pilose.Elytra with a sharp ridge along the costal margin.Legs typical for the family fore-femora SOWneD middJe and , , hind ones compressed, at extreme apex above slightly grooved; hind tarsi with 1st segment a little over 5 times longer than its width; 2nd segment 3 times longer than broad; 3rd segment 4 times longer than broad and a little over half the length of 1st segment; claw withoqt aroJium.Pygidium distinct.Forceps long and slender.

Remarks:
In having etytra keeled along the costal margin and 2nd tarsal segment Jonger tban broad, the described subfamily comes close to Ramamurthiinae but differs by the pilose body and compressed tibiae with a slight depression at extreme apex.In Ramamurthinae the tibiae are deplanate and grooved in apical half, somewhat similar to some forms of the family Chelisochidae.
Body pilose; gencral colour duU brownish black.Head longer than broad.Eyes shorter than post-ocular area.Antennae 16-segmented or more; 1st stout, shorter than the distance between antenna} bases; 3rd long and slender, longer than 4th and 5th.Elytra and wings well developed, former with a sharp ridge laterally.Abdomen striolate with punctulations, lateral tubercles on 3rd and 4th tergites distinct, along the hind margin of each tergites a row of compressed tubercles present.Pygidium distinct.Forceps long and slender.colour.
Rudrax brindlei sp'.D.  & : General colour dull brownish black, antennae, legs and forceps lighter In Head longer than broad, pilose, smooth, moderately convex, postero-Iateral angles rounded and hind margin emarginate, sutures fine but clearly distinct.Eyes distinctly shorter than the post-ocular area.Antennae (partly broken) with 16 segments on the left and 8 on the right sides (segments 4 to 6 on the left are comparatively shorter and and stouter than those on the right), 1st stout, narrowed at base, shorter than the distance between antennal bases, about as long as the eyes; 2nd sman, transverse; 3rd long and cylindrical, yellowish brown with apex brownish black, longer than 4th and 5th, remaining segments gradually increasing in length distally and tbining.Pronotum rectangular, with micro-reticulations, about as long as broad or a trifle broader, anteriorly as wide as head with margin slightly convex in middle, sides feebly reflexed, straight, scarcely diverging po steriorJy , hind angles rounded and margin straight, median sulcus finely marked but distinct, prozona raised with a faint depression in middle on either side of median line close to antericr margin, metazona weakly depressed.Elytra well developed, surface above obscurely punctulate, humeral angles prominent, costal margin with a raised ridge, feeble at shoulder, hind margin obliquely concave.Wings short, about half as long as head, surface above obscurely punctate.Prosternum longer than broad, narrowed posteriel'ly with hind margin straight.Mesosternum about as long as broad, sides straight and hind margin briefly rounded.Metasternum about as long as broad, posteriorly narrowed between hind coxae with free margin feebly sinuate.Legs with fore-femora thickened, tarsi clad \vith hairs on underside, hind tarsi with basal segment l/S as broad as long; 2nd elongated, about 1/3 as long as the basal one and 1/2 as long as apical seglnent; claw without an arolium.Abdomen moderately convex, gently dilated in middle, rugosely striolate with punctulations above and on sides, sides of segments broadly convex, ter5ites 8th and 9th comparatively less rugosely striolate above, hind margin of each tergite with a row of small, distantly placed compressed tubercles.Penultimate sternite rectangular, transverse, finely punctulate, disc broadly depressed in middle, postero-Jateral angl es rounded with hind margin straight; manubrium slightly shorter than the length of sternite, in basal half triangular, in apical half narrow, parallel sided.Ultimate tergite rectangular, strongly transverse, moderately convex, obcurely PUllctutate laterally, with numerous small tubercles on lateral and posterior side, hind margin in' middle straight or feebly concave, laterally oblique and concave.Pygidium subvertical, pentagonal, gently widened posteriorly with margin slightly raised, postero-Iateral angles produced into minute point and in middle with a triangular tubercle.Forceps long, faintly trigonal near base, slender, depressed, slightly curved in middle, tapering apically but gently expanded ne~r apices with tip pointed, internal margin in basal 1/4 sharp with numerous small tubercles interna11y and as above.Genitalia with parameres oval, tip sharply pointed; virga short, stout with various chitinous accessory plates.Length : body-l 1'0 mm ; forceps-7'45 mm.

Remarks:
The second tarsal segment is quite elongated in being three times longer than broad but it is essentially of Labiid type.Although it is narrowed at base and wider apically, it is not lobed.In this respect it approacbes, amongst various species of Labiidae, members of genus Homotages Burr, which possess ecarinate elytra laterally.
Diagnostic characters: Elytra perfect, rugose, with coarse granulations and punctula.tions, costal margin with a row of small tubercles, each bearing a thick setate.Wings of the same texture as the elytra.Legs with first segment five times or a little more than its width; second segment longer than broad.
Distribution: Neotropical and Australian Regions.
Remarks: The inclusion of this subfamily under the division with keeled elytra is not justified since the costal margin is not keeled but it is provided with a row of tubercles and a thick seta arising from each.In this respect this comes close to Irdexinae Srivastava, but latter differs by the shape of second tarsal segment and smooth elytra." , 2nd about as broad as long; 3rd long and slender; 4th subconical, shorter than preceding; Sth longer than 4th but shorter than 3rd, remaining cylindrico-oonical, gradually increasing in length distally.Elytra and wings well developed, smooth.Legs long, slender, 1st tarsal segment equal or longer than the combined length of 2nd and 3rd ; 2nd longer than broad, of uniform width throughout, except at ba se, slightly narrowed.Forceps, in males, strongly undulated and toothed.
Distribution: Oriental Region (India, Myanmar and Nepal-in mountain region only).
Remarks: This subfamily can be easily distinguished by the shape of hind tarsal segments, especially 2nd one which is of uniform width throughout, besides some other minor characters.

Diagnostic character,:
Size medium to large.Head with sutures distinct.Eyes generally longer than the post-ocular area.Antennae with 3rd segment longer than 4th or equal and longer than Sth.Wings and elytra glabrous, smooth in mo~t of tbe species.Legs with hind tarsal segment sJjghtJy longer than broad, strongly narrowed posteriorly and half as Jong as tte 3rd ; I ~t tarsal segment shorter than the combined length of 2nd and 3rd.
Diagnostic characters: Eyes small or prominent.Elytra smootb, costal Dlargin with a row of small tubercles, arising from each a thick setae.Wings well developed or consealed.Legs long, slender, 1st tarsal segment 1/5 as wide as long; 2nd short, broader than long and 3rd slightly shorter than 1 st.Pygidium subvertical, posterior margin provided with tubercles.Forceps, in males, remote at base, gently undulate, internal margin with several minute teeth.

Remarks:
The genus Irdex Burr, was redefined by Srivastava (1985) after re-examination of the Type material of I. nitldipennis (Bormans).
Distribution: Oriental and Australian Region.

LIST OF GENERA AND SPECIES
Nesogaster Verhoeif, 1902
EJytra short with well defined ridge along the costal margin.Legs slender, .first and third tarsal segments equal in length.
Distribution: Confined to the mountains of Africa between 1500m and 3000m in 81 titude.
DiagnostiC characters: Size small.Head convex.Eyes variable in size.Legs with femora stout, smooth, hind tarsi with 1st segment longer than the combined length of 2nd and 3rd; 2nd short j claws with arolium.Elytra and wings well developed, generally pubescent, variable in size.Abdomen convex, usually pubescent.Forceps small, elongated or sometimes lamellate.
Diagnostic characters: Size sman to very small (3'5-4'25 mm), head strongly convex, eyes prominent but smaller than the post-ocular area, pronotum small, elytra and wings well developed.Legs short, tarsal arola absent.Last abdominal tergite semicircular, sloping down to pygidium, almost hidden under the preceding tergites, last tergite together with pygidium and forceps forming a bowl shaped structure.Pygidium generally transverse in males and triangular in females.Genitalia Labiid type with single median lobe.
Remarks: Members of this subfamily are, in general, similar to Geracinae but distinct by the absence of tarsal arolia and by the structure of last tergite and forceps.
Generally it is difficult to ascertain the sex without dissecting out male genitalia.However, the species could be identified on the basis of either sex which are similar in 'morphological details.
Diagnostic characters: Head triangular, broader than long; eyes prominent, longer than the post-ocular area.Antennae 15-segmented; 2nd, 3rd subquadrate; 4th and 5th transverse; 6th onwards segments subquadrate to sl.ightly elongated up to 12th, afterwards heavily built.Legs with tibiae short and broad, sulcate in apical half above; claw strongly toothed and lacking arolium.Pygidium prominent and forceps similar in both sexes.
Remarks: This subfamily can be easily separated from other Labiid subfamilies by the transverse head; stout, short segmented antennae and strongly toothed claw.
-Borneo and Philippine IsIs.