Genus: Megataphrus

• Description: Antennae 11-segmented with a distinct, 2-segmented club. Antennal setation sparse. Subantennal grooves present, grooves extent into antennal cavities on hypomeron. Eyes small, reduced, coarsely faceted. Pronotal disc convex. Procoxal cavities open. Metacoxae moderately separated, separation slightly less than metacoxal length. Elytra fused, with weak punctate striae and carinae. Tarsal formula 4-4-4. Dorsal surface sparsely setose. Body usually encrusted with dirt or debris.

• Similar genera: The genus Megataphrus is similar to the genera Stephaniolus and Coxelus in having reduced eyes and wings absent. The presence of antennal cavities on the hypomeron serve to distinguish Megataphrus from the other two.

• Northwestern United States (OR), Southwestern United States (CA, AZ).

• Members of this genus are flightless and ground-dwelling. They are most commonly collected by Berlese extraction from the debris of redwood, fir, eucalyptus, laurel, chinquapin (Castanopsis), Ceanothus (Rhamnaceae) and under the bark of various stumps.
  
  
• Abundance: Rarely encountered.

• Megataphrus tenuicornis: Antennal cavities on hypomeron margined both on the inside and outside. Elytron with 3 carinae between suture and margin. Distribution: California and Oregon, USA.
  
  
• Megataphrus arizonicus: Antennal cavities on hypomeron margined on the outside only. Elytron with 4 carinae between suture and margin. Distribution: Arizona, USA.
  
  
• Megataphrus chandleri: Antennal cavities on hypomeron margined on the outside only. Elytron with 3 carinae between suture and margin. Distribution: Oregon, USA.

• Members of this genus are frequently encrusted with dirt and other debris which may conceal the pronotal and elytral characters.

• Casey (1890)
  
• Stephan (1989)
  
• Ivie (2002)