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Diagnosis. Head usually distinctly granulate. Pronotum with up to 5 transverse furrows separated by swellings, sometimes reduced with only traces of impressions remaining; a longitudinal furrow is usually present. Elytra usually with basal bead. Pygidium with long groove at base. Metatarsomeres often triangularly expanded, especially the basal segment.

Classification status. There growing evidence suggesting the Psammodiini are part of the Eupariini. Most genera are easily recognized by their transversely furrowed pronotum, but this is not unique. Other characters, granulate head and shortened tarsi, are adaptations for living in sand. For now, a traditional classification is followed, recognizing Psammodiini as distinct.

Distribution. Worldwide.

Composition. Worldwide, Psammodiini contains approximately 26 genera and 400 species. In the New World, there are 15 genera and 89 species.

List of New World Psammodiini genera
Afrodiastictus Pittino and Mariani 1986
Geopsammodius Gordon and Pittino 1992
Leiopsammodius Rakovic 1981
Mysarus Petrovitz 1962                 
Neopsammodius Rakovic 1986
Neorhyssemus Gordon and Pittino 1992                 
Odontopsammodius Gordon and Pittino 1992
Parapsammodius Verdú, Stebnicka and Galante 2006
Platytomus Mulsant 1842
Pleurophorus Mulsant 1842                 
Psammodius Fallén 1807
Rhyssemus Mulsant 1842
Tesarius Rakovic 1981
Trichiopsammobius Petrovitz 1963
Trichiorhyssemus Clouët 1901

References:
Gordon, R. D., and R. Pittino. 1992. Current status of the American genera and species of Psammodiini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae).

Authors: Paul E. Skelley
Generated on: 13/MAY/2008.....Last modified: 13/MAY/2008
University of Nebraska State Museum - Division of Entomology