A KEY TO THE GENERA OF THE MENOPONIDAE (AMBLYCERA : MALLOPHGA : INSECTA) By THERESA CLAY SYNOPSIS A review of the characters which have been used in the diagnosis of the genera of the Meno-ponidae is given, together with a number not previously used. A discussion of their taxonomic value is included, followed by a key to the genera and subgenera of the family. PART I INTRODUCTION IN formulating a key to the genera of the Menoponidae an attempt has been made to use characters which not only define each genus but also place at least some of the genera in larger groupings; these may prove in some cases to be phylogenetic. The greater number of species now available has shown that many of the former key characters cannot always be used or have only a limited application. These include presence or absence of postpalpal and antero ventral head processes; ctenidia on the 3rd femur and sternites; asters of spiniform setae on sternite II of Myrsidea; subdivisions of the flagellum ; number of prosternal setae ; shape of head and abdomen ; the characters of the dorsolateral margin of the head and hypopharyngeal sclerites. These characters may vary within groups of otherwise similar species or may be common to otherwise dissimilar genera. It is hoped that this key may give a clearer conception of the generic characters and their reliability in the taxonomy of the family. Only those structures of ectodermal origin and which can be seen satisfactorily without sections have been considered; the task of sectioning and examining a sufficient number of specimens of each genus would have been impossible and a number of the genera are represented only by specimens mounted on slides. Some characters have obviously been missed; also omitted are those which could not be seen clearly in all the available material or the morphology of which could not be correctly interpreted. There are also other characters which need further material and time for study, such as the segments and sensilla of the flagellum. There follows a review of the characters of various parts of the body with a discussion of their taxonomic importance. These characters fall into four groups: those which are found throughout the Menoponidae and which are of little interest here, but are mentioned when they have been or might be included in generic descriptions; those which vary throughout a genus and are of specific value only; those which can be used for generic separation ; and those which group similar genera together. The same character can of course be specific in one group and generic in another. Two cases have been found in which a character, apparently unique for the Amblycera, is of no more than specific or of species-group value (see Comatomenopon elbeli Emerson abdomen and Meromenopon head setae). It is appreciated that the term ' generic character ' is not very meaningful considering how the generic concept ENT. 24, I. I
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