Origins
Trogidae, otherwise known as hide beetles, are found worldwide. The family of Trogidae has approximately three hundred species in three different genera that are worldwide in distribution: Trox, Omorgus, and Polynoncus. These three genera are declared as the only known genera in the ‘New World’; with Trox described by Fabricius in 1775, Omorgus described by Erichson in 1847, and Polynoncus described by Burmeister in 1876.
The family of Trogidae favors dry environments over moist environments and therefore is often found within temperate and plains areas. Each particular genus is found in different regions of the world, such as the Trox genus is found in the Holarctic/Ethiopian area; the Omorgus genus is typically more within the southern continents; and the Polynoncus genus is found in South America. Specifically the beetles are found within the pellet of any variety of animal, surrounding carrion or other decaying dry matter, and around birds’ and mammals’ nests and feathers as well as aging bones.
The origins and classifications for the family of Trogidae are very controversial but recent NA literature depicts Trogidae as its own family rather than a subfamily of Scarabaeidae. One major reason for the dispute between classifications is the possible evolution of the ommatidium in the eyes. The different environments, predators, etc. probably led to the adaptation of ommatidium structures within this family. For example the more advanced and numerous the ommatidium the more present the larger the ability of the insect to escape and elude predators. Due to these similarities many call the family of Scarabaeidae a ‘superfamily’ to the family of Trogidae. It is believed that Trogidae hails from Australia.
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