Order True bugs | Rank Family | |
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Similar Ceratocombidae, Dipsocoridae, Enicocephalidae, Aenictopecheidae, Dipsocoromorpha | ||
Schizopteridae is the largest family in the infraorder Dipsocoromorpha and comprises 56 genera and over 270 species. Schizopterids are some of the smallest (0.5–2.0 mm) true bugs. Members of this family can be distinguished by their small size, enlarged forecoxae and varying degree of abdominal and genitalic asymmetry in males. Schizopteridae exhibit a wide range of simple and complex wing venation patterns–some species even possess true elytra. The group is currently divided into three subfamilies: Schizopterinae, Ogeriinae and Hypselosomatinae.
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Distribution
The distribution of schizopterid species is primarily tropical, but a substantial amount have been described from the Australian continent (~25%). In the New World, schizopterid species distribution ranges from the southern states of the United States to northern Argentina. Several species have been described from tropical Africa, and it is estimated that dozens are yet to be described.
Biology
Schizopterids are typically collected from rainforest leaf litter; some species have been associated with very specialized microhabitats, such as decaying palms and bark.