Key to the world species of Desectophis based on adult females

1. All dorsal idiosomal setae aciculate...................................................................... 2

- At least half of dorsal idiosomal setae distally expanded...................................................... 3

2. Podonotal and opisthonotal shields with 22 and 19 pairs of setae respectively; with four pairs of J setae (J 2 absent); J and Z setae not reaching bases of subsequent setae.......................... Desectophis magnosimilis Karg, 2003 a, Ecuador

- Podonotal and opisthonotal shields with 19 and 17 pairs of setae respectively; with five pairs of J setae; J and Z setae reaching bases of subsequent setae............................. Desectophis flagellatus Karg & Schorlemmer, 2011 b, Ecuador

3. Distally expanded setae of dorsal idiosoma smooth; podonotal shield with 19 pairs of setae; with four pairs of J setae (J 2 absent).......................................................... Desectophis eulateris (Karg, 1998), Ecuador

- Distally expanded setae of dorsal idiosoma slightly pilose; podonotal shield with 22 pairs of setae; with five pairs of J setae... 4

4. Setae z 1 and z 2 distally expanded; opisthonotal shield with 20 pairs of setae (UR absent); ventri-anal shield ornamented with subparallel, undulate and transverse lines................................. Desectophis pulcher Karg, 2003 a, Ecuador

- Setae z 1 and z 2 aciculate; opisthonotal shield with 21 pairs of setae (including UR 3; UR 5 next to line of fusion between ventrianal and opisthonotal shields, visible ventrally on mounted specimens); ventri-anal shield with numerous tiny shallow pits in the two posterior thirds of the shield, smooth elsewhere................... Desectophis anthuriumsetis n. sp., Colombia