Systematics of North American Trogidae

Members of the family Trogidae are scavengers that feed on feathers or animal hair. Species of Trogidae are commonly found near the dry remains of larger mammalian carcasses, which make them an important member of a decomposition ecosystem and potentially forensically significant insects. In North America, the family Trogidae contains two genera with 41 reported species. Trogids are characteristically identified to genus based on morphological features of the pronotum but accurate species identification is based on features of the male genitalia. Here we review significant taxonomy and provide potential synapomorphies that will be necessary for phylogenetic resolution for species of North American Trogidae.