Mesomachilis
Silvestri, 1911
jumping bristletails
Mesomachilis is a of jumping bristletails in the Machilidae, first described by Silvestri in 1911. The genus contains approximately six described distributed across North America, including the western United States, Canada, and Mexico. These primitive insects belong to the order , one of the earliest diverging lineages of living insects.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Mesomachilis: /ˌmɛsoʊməˈkaɪlɪs/
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Identification
in Mesomachilis can be distinguished from other machilid by characteristics of the thoracic sternites and abdominal appendages, though specific diagnostic features require examination of . The genus is restricted to the Nearctic region, which helps separate it from superficially similar Palearctic machilids. Detailed identification to species level requires knowledge of .
Distribution
Nearctic region: western United States (California), Canada, and Mexico. The has been recorded from specific localities in these areas, with individual showing somewhat restricted ranges.
Behavior
Like other , members of this possess the ability to jump by flexing the against the substrate, a that distinguishes them from the related order Zygentoma (silverfish).
Similar Taxa
- MachilisAnother in Machilidae; Mesomachilis is distinguished by Nearctic distribution and specific thoracic sternite .
- PedetontusNearctic machilid ; separation requires examination of abdominal appendages and sternite structure.
More Details
Species diversity
The includes six described : M. californica, M. canadensis, M. leechi, M. mexicana, M. nearctica, and M. strenua, all described or revised by Sturm in 1991 except M. nearctica and M. strenua, which were originally described by Silvestri in 1911.