Brodsky, 1950
Females
Total length 2-3 mm. Body relatively robust, Ce and Pd1 separated, Pd4 and 5 fused with posterolateral corners of different shapes, sometimes asymmetrical. Ce rounded anteriorly, R short and bifurcate; labrum large and greatly produced. Ur relatively long, of 4 somites; Gns usually asymmetrical with single genital aperture located ventrolaterally on posterior right border. CR symmetrical, relatively short, with up to 6 setae. A1 symmetrical, not extending beyond the posterior border of the Pr, 24-segmented. A2 Coxa with 1 seta; Basis with 2 outer edge setae; Exp and Enp separated from Basis; Enp 2-segmented, Enp1 with 1 seta distal to midlength, Enp2 with 7-8 inner setae and 6 setae terminally; Exp 8-segmented, proximal 2 segments without setae and partially fused with Exp3. Md gnathobase longer than palp, with numerous sharp teeth and one inner seta; Enp 2-segmented with 2 and 6 setae respectively; Exp 5-segmented, segments 1-4 with 1 seta each, segment 5 carrying 2 setae. Mx1 Li1 large, remainder of limb reduced; Li1 with 15 spines and setae; Li2 with 2 seta; Li3 and 4 with 1 seta each; Enp 1-segmented, with 4 setae; Exp small with 7 setae; Le1 in the form of a small lobe, without setae; Le2 absent. Mx2 well developed; Li1 and 2 with 3 and 2 setae respectively; Li3 and 4 with 3 setae each; Li5 with 4 setae; terminal part 4-segmented with 10-11 setae. Mxp Coxa short with 2 proximal, 2 medial and 1 distal setae; Basis with 3 setae distally; Enp 5-6-segmented, Enp1 almost fully incorporated into Basis, with 2, 4, 4, 3, 1+2 setae respectively, each segment with one of setae small or vestigial.
Spine and seta formula: Spine and seta Phyllopodidae.
P5 uniramous, not natatory, coxa and intercoxal sclerite fused; basis with an outer edge seta; Exp 3-segmented with I-0; 0-1; 0,0,I spines and setae; outer and distal borders of Exp segments 2 and 3 expanded and toothed.
Males
Body similar to female, but Ur of 5 somites. Left A1 geniculate, 20-segmented. Mouthparts and P1-4 similar to female. P5 Coxa and intercoxal sclerite fused, Basis with long outer edge seta on each side; left leg with 1-segmented, foliaceous Enp, Exp 3-segmented with last 2 segments in form of chela; right leg without Enp, Exp 3-segmented, segments 2 and 3 more or less fused, segment 3 expanded and truncate distally.
Brodsky (1950) separated genus Phyllopus Brady, 1883 from the the remaining Arietellidae by placing it in a separate subfamily; later Campaner (1977) removed it from the Arietellidae and placed it in a family of its own. Only one genus Phyllopus is placed in this family.