Online identification keys
Provided below are web-based identification keys, which have either been published by previous authors or are yet unpublished keys. The software Lucid Phoenix (more information) was used to import or create dichotomous keys and make them available here. Some of the keys are illustrated with original drawings from the publication, added photographs, or links to respective web-sites with photos.
In order to use the keys, a reasonably fast internet connection is needed, Java has to be enabled in your browser, and a Java runtime version of 1.4.2 or greater is required (test your Java version; download the latest, freely available Java version).
Note: The keys might not work on a Mac running Leopard (Mac OSX 10.5.8) and Java 5 Update 24 (1.5.0_24), but will run in Snow Leopard (10.6) and Java 6 (1.6).
Keys
Mydidae subfamilies after Papavero & Wilcox 1974 with the addition of Megascelinae and Rhaphiomidinae by T. Dikow
– the key was originally written by Papavero & Wilcox in 1974
– Torsten Dikow has added the Megascelinae and Rhaphiomidinae to the key and adjusted the terminology
– Torsten Dikow has attached images to several characters and a representative of each subfamily taxon
Mydidae: Mydinae: Mydini after Wilcox, Papavero, & Pimentel 1989
– Mydas ventralis couplets shortened
– The key to the females of the Mydas interruptus group is not included. Mydas floridensis can only be keyed out using the originally published key.
– keys to Baliomydas & Ceriomydas from Papavero & Wilcox 1971.
– Baliomydas tricolor not included as no specimens had been studied.
– Ceriomydas vespoides is not in the original key by Wilcox & Papavero 1971, but Ceriomydas darlingtoni is found twice so that I resolved the key based on the included descriptions.
Mydidae: Leptomydinae: Pseudonomoneura after Fitzgerald & Kondratieff 1995, 1997
– This key relies heavily on male terminalia and it is best to have a male specimen for identification.
Apioceridae: Apiocera Nearctic after Cazier 1982, 1985
– This key is only for males and relies heavily on male terminalia. Therefore, dissected specimens are best.
– The terminology for the male terminalia follows Yeates & Irwin 1996.
– The illustrations are taken from Cazier 1982 & 1985.
– You can download the original publications with the descriptions and keys as a PDF from the AMNH library here.
– The distribution (by country and state) has been added for each species.
– You can use the Filter tool (blue funnel symbol in key) to restrict the key to those species occurring in certain states, i.e., Baja California Norte, Baja California Sur, Arizona, California.
Mydidae: Megascelinae: Megascelus after Artigas 1973
– This key is an English translation of the original key published in Spanish.
