Meinertellidae

Definition

A family of basally diverging insects in the order Archaeognatha, commonly called rock bristletails. Distinguished from the related family Machilidae by the absence of scales at the bases of legs, antennae, head, and palps; possession of small abdominal sternites protruding between coxal plates; and characteristic patches of reddish to violet-brown hypodermal pigment on appendages. Together with Machilidae, constitutes the extant diversity of the bristletail grade.

Etymology

From Meinertellus (type genus, honoring Danish zoologist Vilhelm Meinert) + -idae (family suffix)

Example

Specimens of Meinertellidae collected from rocky Mediterranean habitats show the family's diagnostic hypodermal pigment patches and reduced scaling compared to sympatric Machilidae.

Synonyms

• rock bristletails

Related Terms

• Archaeognatha
• Machilidae
• bristletail
• Apterygote
• basal insect

Usage Notes

One of two extant families in Archaeognatha; often contrasted with Machilidae in morphological keys. The family's basally diverging position makes it relevant to studies of early insect evolution. Identification requires examination of scale distribution and sternite morphology, not merely habitat preference.