Platypsyllinae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Staphylinoidea
Family: Leiodidae
Subfamily: Platypsyllinae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Platypsyllinae: //plætɪpˈsɪlaɪniː//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Leptinus occidentamericanus by Collectors Jill Stockbridge, S. Meierotto, I. MacDougall

Preparator Sayde Ridling. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

YOUNG LARVA OF PLATYPSYLLUS CASTORIS by C. V. Riley. Used under a Public domain license.

Platypsyllus castoris Castrologia 1892 by CV Riley (drawing). Used under a Public domain license.

LARVA OF PLATYPSYLLUS CASTORIS—DORSAL VIEW by C. V. Riley. Used under a Public domain license.

Platypsyllus castoris annales1883 by Unknown authorUnknown author. Used under a Public domain license.

Platypsyllus castoris1 by Stanislav Snäll. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Summary

Platypsyllinae is a subfamily of the family Leiodidae, known for its beetles that inhabit mammal nests and act as ectoparasites. This group, once classified as a family, is now recognized as a subfamily that includes several genera such as Leptinillus, Leptinus, Platypsyllus, and Silphopsyllus.

Habitat

Primarily found in mammal nests.

Distribution

Holarctic regions.

Diet

Ectoparasitic, feeding on mammals.

Ecosystem Role

Ectoparasites contributing to the ecosystem's decomposition processes and nutrient cycling.

Evolution

Formerly classified under the family Leptinidae; now recognized as a subfamily due to taxonomic revisions.

Similar Taxa

Leptinidae
Staphylinidae

Misconceptions

Often confused with other beetles due to their size and habitat, but are specifically associated with mammal nests as ectoparasites.