Subfamily Otostigminae Kraepelin, 1903

Diagnosis. Anterior margin of forcipular coxosternite (Figs 86, 96, 100, 111) with tooth-plates (except for Edentistoma, Fig. 114); forcipular trochantero-prefemur in most genera with well-developed process (the latter virtually absent in Ethmostigmus (Fig. 102), Edentistoma and Sterropristini Verhoeff, 1937). Tergites with (Fig. 87) or without longitudinal keels. Sternites with paramedian sutures developed to varying degrees (totally absent in Edentistoma) and in most both genera and species with a few (from 1 to 5) depressions of varied size and shape (rounded and/or longitudinal). LBS 7 with or without spiracles. The spiracles oval or round, of open type (i.e. without any covering “flap”), in most genera with well-developed atrium (Figs 82, 108), sometimes exceptionally shallow, for example in Ethmostigmus (Fig. 103) and Edentistoma (Fig. 115); the atrial floor raised in humps (Fig. 108). Legs with 1 or 2 tarsal spur(s), sometimes with 1 tibial spur as well. Ultimate legs of “common” shape (Figs 83, 101, 110) in most genera of Otostigmini (except for “leaf-shaped” ones in Alipes Imhoff, 1854 (Fig. 84) and quasi “pincer-shaped” in Edentistoma) and truly “pincer-shaped” in Sterropristini (Fig. 119). Ultimate prefemur with (Figs 83, 101) or without (in Otostigmus (Parotostigmus) Pocock, 1896 (Fig. 97), Alipes, Edentistioma and Sterropristes) some spines and with or without corner spine. Claw-shaped ultimate pretarsus (Fig. 101) present (virtually absent in Alipes only, Fig. 85); when pretarsus strongly elongated and enlarged (Fig. 119) it usually lacks accessory spines. Vahtera & Edgecombe (2014) also wrote: “lateral clusters of sensilla on the clypeal part of the epipharynx.”

Number of subtaxa. 8 genera (10 taxa of genus-group). “Ca 200 species in nine genera” sensu Edgecombe & Bonato (2011: 400), “115 valid species” sensu Vahtera & Edgecombe (2014: 7).

Sexual dimorphism. Present in 5 taxa of genus-group.

Range. From the Canary Islands through all Africa (and neighboring islands) and southern half of Asia to Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand and Pacific Islands (incl. Bismarck Archipelago, Solomon Islands, Polynesia); Neotropics including Caribbean.

Remarks. Treated as a subfamily in Edgecombe & Bonato (2011: 400), Vahtera et al. (2012a: 13), Vahtera et al. (2012b: 235), Vahtera & Edgecombe (2014: 7).