Biological and Revisional Comments on the Classification of Dermaptera

Sakai (1970-1993, Dermapterorum Catalogus: Vols. I-XXV, 9,247 pp.) compiled much of the relevant taxonomic information and references on worldwide valid and invalid dermapteran taxa since Linnaeus (1758). The global biodiversity of Dermaptera is recognized in 4 suborders, 6 superfamilies, 11 families, 55 subfamilies, 208 genera, 1,930 species, 34 subspecies, 37 varieties and 9 forms. It is interesting to consider the way in which the diversity of features in the Dermaptera seems to be concentrated in the male forceps, pygidium, manubrium, and genitalia-including shapes of the virga and paramere. The citations in Steinmann's Catalogue (1989) and Das Tierreich (1986, 1989) on Dermaptera have sometimes overlooked important taxonomic references. The suprageneric names at subfamily level in Steinmann (1989) are incorrect; for example, "Carcinophoridae" for "Anisolabididae" and "Labiidae" for "Spongiphoridae". Sakai (1990) indicates that many incorrect synonyms were cited in Steinmann's World Catalogue and Das Tierreich. These references are useful, but take several different approaches from Sakai's Catalogus and other references. A new genus, Paralabella, erected by Steinmann (1989) on the basis of paramere shape of the male genitalia, is an example of the excellent treatment of Dermapteran classification by Steinmann (1989).