Faronitae

Reitter, 1882

Faronitae is a supertribe of small (Pselaphinae: ) comprising 29 worldwide. The group is particularly diverse in Australia and New Zealand, where 13 genera occur. Recent taxonomic work has described multiple new genera from these regions, including Porongurup from Western Australia, Pseudostenosagola from New Zealand, and Australosagola from southern Australia. Members are characterized by reduced body size and specialized morphological features associated with leaf litter and soil .

Damaeus by (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas. Used under a CC-BY license.

Epidermoptidae by (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cricket Raspet. Used under a CC-BY license.

Psoroptidae by (c) Oleksii Vasyliuk, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Oleksii Vasyliuk. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Faronitae: //ˌfæroʊˈnaɪti//

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

Identification

Faronitae can be distinguished from other pselaphine supertribes by a combination of characters including: with linear or narrowly linear frontal ; abdominal VI typically elongated, often approximately twice as long as segment V; and male with elongate narrow lobe with . Within Faronitae, are separated by characters such as structure, proportions, presence and form of procoxal , development, and relative sizes of abdominal tergites and ventrites.

Images

Habitat

Members of Faronitae occupy forest floor microhabitats in temperate regions. In southwestern Australia, have been collected from karri forest (Eucalyptus diversicolor), marri-jarrah woodland (Eucalyptus calophylla-E. marginata), Eucalyptus wandoo woodland, tingle-Allocasuarina-karri forest, Eucalyptus forest and mallee, and mixed forest on old dunes. Collection methods include intercept traps, sifting of leaf, bark, log, , or moss litter, and extraction of water-washed soil.

Distribution

Faronitae has a disjunct distribution centered on the Southern Hemisphere. The supertribe occurs in Australia (particularly diverse in the southwest), New Zealand (with four including the Pseudostenosagola), and other regions. In Western Australia, the genus Porongurup is restricted to the southwestern corner, including Porongurup National Park, Stirling Range National Park, Walpole-Nornalup National Park, Warren National Park, Brockman National Park, Avon Valley National Park, and areas near Manjimup, Northcliffe, and Pemberton.

Behavior

of the Porongurup have never been recorded together in the same , suggesting differences in preferences among species. However, Porongurup and the related genus Nornalup have been collected together from the same areas and apparently share microhabitats. in development occurs in some species: males of Porongurup clarkei and P. tenuis have fully developed hind wings, while females have reduced hind wings and shorter ; P. angulatus has fully developed hind wings in both sexes. Males also have larger than females in these species.

Similar Taxa

Other Pselaphinae supertribesFaronitae is distinguished from other pselaphine supertribes by the combination of linear frontal on the , elongated abdominal VI, and characteristic male structure.
Sagola Sharp, 1874The Australosagola was previously confused with Sagola, requiring new combinations for three ; separation depends on detailed examination of genitalic and external characters.

More Details

Taxonomic activity

Recent years have seen significant taxonomic revision of Faronitae, with description of multiple new : Porongurup (2018, 3 ), Pseudostenosagola (2014, 3 species), and Australosagola (2023, 7 new species plus 3 new combinations) — indicating the group remains incompletely known.

Biodiversity significance

The concentration of faronite diversity in southwestern Western Australia and New Zealand highlights the importance of these regions as refugia for relictual lineages. The southwestern Australian hotspot contains two faronite (Porongurup and Nornalup) that appear to have undergone localized radiation.