S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 51. (Budapest, 1990)
In the gaàthûSQma there is a trend of reduction only in the construction of the palp. The decrease in the number of joints (5-4-3) and that of the setae, furthermore, the atrophization of sul among the eupathidia of the palptarsi should all be investigated. However, these features poorly correlate with other characteristics, thus, requiring further research, and the problem is even more aggrevated by the presence of variation Synichotritia within one genus, which obviously disturbs the reliable application of the characteristic. In the case of legs the thus far studied features are of importance in decieing any relationship. In the majority of the described species these data are either defective or entirely missing, thus, when using them in my evaluation I applied them with utmost care. Presently it appears so that the number of claws cannot be used in the separation of higher, supraspecific taxa. Changes in chaetotaxy (reduction or the appearance of neotrichy) contrary to normal* chaetotaxy is more common in certain genera, but the number of setae is not, since e.g. in the genus Austrotritia this may vary between 21 and 24. Thus, I came to the conclusion that the normal chaetotaxy is plesiomorphic, and the changes in any of the other two directions are apomorphic in nature . From among the several changes taking place on the tarsal joints, reduction is observed on the genu of leg I but more especially on the trochanters of legs I-IV. Besides the changes in the number of setae, the reduction of "guard" setae by the solenidia and their development into "coupled" setae e.g. on the tarsus of leg lis (ft) - ci>2 and on the tibia of leg IV: d_- <(>. In both cases the presence of individual and we 11-developed seta should be considered plesiomorphic in contrast with reduction. The coupling nature may also be observed in the famulus ( £) with one or more solenidia . The position of solenidia on the tarsi of legs I and II is surely an important characteristic, nevertheless, I believe, that today any appropriate evaluation of this feature is impossible. On the other hand, the reduction of solenidium ô on the genu of leg IV is unequivocally an apomorphic characteristic . IV. LIST OF STUDIED AND ANALYSED MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES I-XXII (Roman numerals: features used in the cluster analysis) 1-18 (Arabic numerals: features leftoutof consideration from the cluster analysis) + Apomorphic features o Plesiomorphic features X Direction of evolution uncertain 1. X Surface of body well sculptured (foveolate, reticulate, striolate, etc.) . X Surface of body smooth or finely punctate 2. + Aspis elongate, low in lateral view o Aspis highly arched, compact, high in lateral view 3. X Aspis with median crista or cristae X Aspis without median crista or cristae X. + Aspis with lateral carina or carinae o Aspis without lateral carinae VIII + Bothridial squama located above the trichobothrium o Bothridial squama located below the trichobothrium IX X Posterior median apodeme present X Posterior median apodeme absent 4. X Laterocentral apodeme long and strong X Laterocentral apodeme short, reduced Leg I bearing 17 setae and 3 solenidia on its tarsus: (ft) (tc) (it) (p) (u) (pa) (pv) , pi', jS, <O ir cj 2 » cO 3»
