Length to 7 mm. Practically all main characters may be variable in this complex (except sharp rectangular posterodistal process of ART 5 of P I and II (Lycaea pulex complex 1), apical projection below base of dactyl in ART 6 of P I and II, long dactyls of P III and IV, rounded head in males).
See characters of these animals in main Lycaea key (page ) and in additional key to this complex. Aside from Lycaea pulex Marion, 1874, this complex includes several species of questionable validity and unclear geographical distribution (Lycaea bajensis Shoemaker, 1925; Lycaea bovallii Chevreux, 1900; Lycaea bovallioides Stephensen, 1925; Lycaea vincenti Stebbing, 1888).
Additional key to the Lycaea pulex complex (based on Harbison and Madin, 1976)
1a Endopodite of UR II not fused with basipodite -> 2
1b Endopodite of UR II fused with basipodite. [Endopodite of UR I not fused with basipodite. ART 6 of P II shorter than palmar margin of ART 5. Dactyl of P IV long; if otherwise, return to main key, page ]: Lycaea bovallii.
2a Basipodite of UR I more than 2.5 times length of exopodite -> 3
2b Basipodite of UR I less than 2.5 times length of exopodite: Lycaea pulex.
3a Anterior margin of ART 6 of P V serrate -> 4
3b Anterior margin of ART 6 of P V smooth. [Dactyl of P IV long; if otherwise, return to main key]: Lycaea bovallioides.
4a Dactyl of P IV long (greater than 0.4 length of ART 6): Lycaea bajensis.
4b Dactyl of P IV short (0.2-0.4 of length of ART 6): Lycaea vincenti.