Revisión de la familia Actaletidae Borner, 1902 (Insects: Collemnola)

Abstract

A taxonomic revision of the family Actaletidae is presented with a complementary study of its general morphology. As a result, the new genus, Spinactaletes is proposed for the New World species. Four new species from Puerto Rico are described within the new genus: S. calcalectoris, S. myoptesimus, S. bellingeri and S. aebianus. In addition, a key to the genera and species in the family Actaletidae is provided. Spinactaletes is distinguished from Actaletes by having a conspicuous sexual dimorphism, presence of tricobothrium C on the fourth abdominal segment, presence of dental spines, length of the tergal sutures on the fourth abdominal segment, extension of tracheal system, shape of the reproductive system complex in adult males, morphology of maxillae, shape of sublobular plate and distance between mucronal teeth. The main diagnostic characters in Spinactaletes are the morphology of the metatibiotarsal spur and chaetotaxy of the second, third and fourth antennal segments of adult males. Other diagnostic characters are found in the mouth parts and shape of the unguiculus.