Bryopsocidae

Definition

A former family of barklice and booklice (order Psocodea, suborder Psocomorpha), now synonymized with Zelandopsocinae, a subfamily within Pseudocaeciliidae. The group comprises small, often moss-associated psocids with characteristic wing venation and genitalic structures that led to their original elevation to family rank.

Etymology

From Greek bryon (moss) + Psocidae (family of barklice), alluding to the moss-dwelling habits of many species.

Example

Species originally described in Bryopsocidae, such as those in the genus Bryopsocus, are now classified under Pseudocaeciliidae, reflecting refined understanding of psocomorph relationships based on molecular and morphological data.

Synonyms

• Zelandopsocinae (current placement)

Related Terms

• Pseudocaeciliidae
• Psocodea
• Psocomorpha
• Zelandopsocinae
• barklice
• psocid
• junior synonym

Usage Notes

The name Bryopsocidae appears in older literature and databases (e.g., GBIF) but is obsolete in current taxonomy; specialists now place these taxa in Pseudocaeciliidae. The synonymy illustrates how molecular phylogenetics has reshaped psocid classification, collapsing several formerly recognized families into subfamilies.