Psyllipsocidae
Lienhard & Smithers, 2002
Cave Barklice
Genus Guides
4- Dorypteryx(cave barklice)
- Pseudorypteryx
- Psocathropos
- Psyllipsocus
is a of small insects commonly known as cave barklice, comprising approximately 7 and more than 70 described . The family belongs to the suborder Trogiomorpha within the order Psocodea. Members of this family have been recorded across multiple biogeographic realms including West Palaearctic, Afrotropical, Australian, Nearctic, Neotropical, and Oriental regions. Some genera, such as Dorypteryx, exhibit notably wide geographic distributions. Several extinct genera are known from Cretaceous amber deposits.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Psyllipsocidae: //ˌsɪlɪpˈsɒsɪˌdiː//
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Identification
can be distinguished from other by their placement in the infraorder Psyllipsocetae within suborder Trogiomorpha. The family includes both extant and extinct , with fossil representatives known from Burmese, Lebanese, and Taimyr amber deposits ranging from Barremian to Santonian ages. Extant genera include Dorypteryx, Pseudopsyllipsocus, Pseudorypteryx, Psocathropos, and Psyllipsocus.
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Habitat
Members of this have been recorded from domestic , including indoor environments in Yunnan Province, China. The "cave barklice" suggests association with cave or subterranean-like environments, though specific habitat details for most remain poorly documented.
Distribution
Documented from West Palaearctic, Afrotropical, Australian, Nearctic, Neotropical, and Oriental realms. Specific records include Yunnan Province (China), Zimbabwe, Australia, North America, Europe, and Central America (Guatemala, Mexico).
Human Relevance
Some have been recorded from domestic , suggesting potential association with human dwellings. The is of interest to entomologists studying cave-dwelling and indoor .
Similar Taxa
- Other Trogiomorpha families is distinguished within Trogiomorpha by its placement in the infraorder Psyllipsocetae; other in this suborder belong to different infraorders.
- Psyllipsocidae fossil genera vs. extant generaExtinct (Annulipsyllipsocus, Libanopsyllipsocus, Concavapsocus, Khatangia) are known only from Cretaceous amber deposits, while extant genera occur in modern .
More Details
Fossil record
Four extinct are known from Cretaceous amber: Annulipsyllipsocus and Concavapsocus from Burmese amber (Cenomanian), Libanopsyllipsocus from Lebanese amber (Barremian), and Khatangia from Taimyr amber (Santonian).
Taxonomic history
The Dorypteryx was redefined by Lienhard in 1977, with Dolopteryx domestica synonymized under Dorypteryx. The was established by Lienhard & Smithers in 2002.