New genera and species of Cucujiformia (Coleoptera, Polyphaga) from lowermost Eocene French amber

2009·0.78 MB·English

by  Kirejtshuk, Alexander G

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New genera and species of Cucujiformia (Coleoptera,
Polyphaga) from lowermost Eocene French amber
Alexander G. KIREJTSHUK & André NEL
Abstract: In this paper we describe Palaeoestes eocenicusgen. et sp.nov. (oldest representative of subfamily Leiestinae; Endomy-
chidae), Corticaria hodebertisp.nov. and C. missasp.nov.(Latridiidae), Bertinotus gallicussp. nov. (oldest representative of Myc-
teridae) and Eopeplusstetzenkoi gen. et sp.nov. (first fossil representative of the subfamily Inopeplinae; Salpingidae). Short reviews
of known fossil records of the mentioned families are given. Palaeoendomychus gymnusZHANG, 1992 described in Endomychidae
has been preliminarily transferred into the family Peltidae.
Key words: Endomychidae, Latridiidae, lowermost Eocene amber, Mycteridae, Salpingidae
Santrauka: Šioje publikacijoje aprašomi: Palaeoestes eocenicus gen. et sp.nov. (seniausias pošeimio Leiestinae; Endomychidae
vabzdys), Corticaria hodebertisp.nov. ir C. missasp.nov. (Latridiidae), Bertinotus gallicussp.nov. (seniausias šeimos Mycteridae ats-
tovas) ir Eopeplus stetzenkoigen. et sp.nov. (pirmasis fosilinis pošeimio Inopeplinae; Salpingidae pavyzdys). Trumpai aptariami vi-
.
su˛ paminetu˛ šeimu˛ fosiliniai pavyzdžiai. Palaeoendomychus gymnusZHANG,1992 priskirtas Endomychidae šeimai, preliminariai
perkeliamas i˛ Peltidae šeima˛.
Raktiniai žodžiai: Endomychidae, Latridiidae, seniausias eoceinis gintaras, Mycteridae, Salpingidae.
Introduction Olympus SCX9 and inverted microscope Olympus CK
40 in the Paris museum, and also the stereomicroscope
This paper is presenting the fifth contribution to
Leica MZ 16.0 in the St. Petersburg institute.
the knowledge on the Coleoptera fauna from lower-
most Eocene French amber collected in Oise falls Type strata: lowermost Eocene, in amber, c. 53 Ma,
Sparnacian, level MP7 of the mammal fauna of Dor-
(BATELKAet al. 2006; BÍLÝ& KIREJTSHUK2007; KIREJT-
maal.
SHUK& NEL2008; KIREJTSHUKet al., in press). It is de-
voted to the unknown families from this resource and Type locality:Farm Le Quesnoy, Chevrière, region
to those that are poorly known as fossils in general. The of Creil, Oise department (northern France).
families considered in the paper are provided with a
short necessary review of data on systematics and his-
Systematic account
torical development. More detailed information on
representation of these coleopterous families in the fos- Family Endomychidae LEACH, 1815
sil record can be obtained from the catalogue by PONO- The family can be recognized due to the character-
MARENKO & KIREJTSHUK (2008). All new genera here istic sulci on pronotum, 11-segmented antennae with
described are represented by the only species and, club, procoxal cavities open posteriorly, procoxae with-
therefore, descriptions of them would considerably out exposed trochantin, subcoxal fovea on metaven-
overlap with the description of species (”descriptio trite, tarsal formula 4-4-4 or 3-3-3 and lobed tarsi. As
generica specifica“). recent representatives of the family the fossil species
here described seemed to be mycetophagous and associ-
ated with rotten wood and fungus-infested bark. Com-
Material and methods
position and structure of the family follows
Many specimens recovered among inclusions from TOMASZEWSKA(2000). There are not so many data on
lowermost Eocene French amber are deposited in the the historical development of this family which has not
Denisia 26,
Laboratoire de Paléontologie, Muséum National d’His- been recorded earlier than the Late Eocene (Baltic am- zugleich Kataloge der
oberösterreichischen
toire Naturelle, Paris. For study of them usual optic ber). Thus, the specimen here described is its oldest Landesmuseen
equipment was used, in particular the stereomicroscope record. Among other fossils registered in Baltic amber Neue Serie 86(2009):
103–118
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Shanwang and the genus MycetaeaSTEPHENS, 1830 was
mentioned for the Oligocene Bitterfeld amber (BARTEL
& HERTZEL 1982). From copal Trycherus castaneus
(HOPE, 1837) (Eumorphus) and Trochoideus cruciatus
(DALMAN, 1825) (Pausus) are also known.
Subfamily Leiestinae THOMSON, 1863
The general appearance, outline of the head, anten-
nae, maxillary palpi, prothoracic sclerites, as well as the
comparatively small distance between metacoxae, struc-
ture of legs with four-segmented tarsi and abdominal
ventrite 1 of the species here described are correspon-
ding better with those in the members of Leiestinae
than with those in all other groups of the family.
Genus Palaeoestesgen.nov.
Type species: Palaeoestes eocenicussp.nov.
Etymology: Named after the Greek ”palaiós“ (an-
cient) and the generic name Leiestes, masculine gender.
Figs 1-5: Palaeoestes eocenicusgen. et sp.nov., holotype: (1) body, dorsal; (2)
Diagnosis: The new genus is distinct from all groups
metacoxae and abdomen, ventral; (3) antenna; (4) posterior leg, ventral; (5)
maxillary terminal palpomeres. Scale bars: A = 0.3 mm (Fig. 1); B = 0.15 mm of the subfamily in the combination of the transverse
(Figs 2-5). pronotum widest at anterior edge and with very weak
paralateral depressions (sulci) at comparatively greater
there are known: Holoparamecussp.; Phymaphoroides an- distance from posterior angles, weak transverse basal de-
tennatus MOTSCHULSKY, 1856; Leiesthes sp.; Hyleia sp.; pression (sulcus) of pronotum, evenly outlined pronotal
Mycetinasp.; Lycoperdinasp.; Mycetaeasp. (MOTSCHUL- sides, comparatively large scape, subequal thickness of
SKY1856; KLEBS1910; KUBISZ2000; etc.). Besides, En- all three antennomeres of the club, ultimate maxillary
gonius alviolatus(Miocarabus alviolatusHONG, 1983) was palpomere slightly more than twice as long as thick,
described as a member of Carabidae from the Miocene prosternum before procoxae about twice as long as pro-
Fig. 6: Palaeoestes
eocenicusgen. et
sp.nov.: (a) body of
holotype, dorsal; (b)
ibid., ventral.
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coxae and distance between metacoxae about third as Palaeoestes eocenicussp.nov. (Figs 1-5, Fig. 6)
great as metacoxae wide. The type species of this new
Material: Holotype – ”PA 1052“, sex unknown. The
genus is also characterized by the subunicolorous body, complete beetle with distal parts of posterior wings ex-
very sparse puncturation on dorsum not demonstrating posed from under apices of elytra is included in a small
longitudinal rows on elytra and very short and fine straw and thin subquadrangular amber piece (with length
reddish hairs. The unique characters among the subfam- about 7.0 mm and width 7.0 mm) with a crack crossing
ily are the comparatively large eyes, very large anten- the entire piece (beetle is located along crack). Head
nomere 2, shape of pronotum and very weak paramedi- dorsally and most part of the underside with rather thick
an depressions on the pronotum, and also rather long milky cover, although sclerites on the median part of
prosternum. The fossil here described is distinct from pterothorax and abdomen are more or less visible.
Phymaphoroides antennatus MOTSCHULSKY, 1856 de-
Etymology: The epithet of this new species refers to
scribed from Baltic amber because, according to the
the epoch of amber origin.
original description, the latter has the strongly enlarged
antennomere 9.Another species described as Endomy- Description: Holotype: Length 1.20 mm, width
chidae is Palaeoendomychus gymnusZHANG, 1992, which 0.35 mm, height about 0.25 mm. Elongate, rather con-
is much wider and much larger (its attribution to the vex dorsally and ventrally; subunicolorous straw red-
family is needed additional confirmation, although it dish; slightly shining; dorsum with very fine and ex-
can be preliminarilyconsidered as a member of Peltidae tremely short hairs scarcely visible), underside and ap-
KIRBY, 1837 rather than Endomychidae). Besides, with- pendages apparently with somewhat denser hairs, only
in the genera of the subfamily the new genus can be dis- tarsi and antennomeres with longer and more conspicu-
tinguished by the following characters: ous hairs.
from LeiestesDEJEAN, 1836 by the more distinct anten- Pronotum and elytra with more or less distinct, dif-
nal club, longer ultimate maxillary palpomere, more fuse and irregular punctures subequal to or smaller than
transverse posterior edge of scutellum, longer eye facets in diameter; interspaces between punctures
metaventrite, simple protibia; on pronotum about twice as great as eye facets in diam-
from Ponamomus GORHAM, 1873 by the more distinct eter, interspaces between punctures on elytra somewhat
antennal club, shorter scutellum with more trans- greater than eye facets in diameter and apparently
verse posterior edge, much longer metaventrite, smoothly alutaceous. Underside with indistinctly visible
much smaller distance between much wider meta- integument.
coxae, metacoxae shorter and wider, gently rounded
Head rather long and gently convex, apparently
posterior edge of hypopygidium;
somewhat more than 1.5 times as long (from vertex to
from Rhanidea STROCHEKER, 1953 by the more distinct anterior edge of frons) as distance between eyes, some-
antennal club, longer ultimate maxillary palpomere, what declined ventrally, with moderately large eyes, dis-
longer scutellum, a little smaller distance between tance between them about 6 times as great as width of
metacoxae, metacoxae somewhat shorter, simple one eye; antennal insertions located just before anterior
protibia, gently rounded posterior edge of hypopygid- edge of eyes; eyes moderately finely facetted. Labrum
ium; and mouthparts invisible clearly because of milky cover,
from PhymaphoraNEWMAN, 1838 by the longer ultimate however, apparently well exposed and probably rather
maxillary palpomere, shorter scutellum with more projecting. Antennae 11-segmented, moderately long,
transverse posterior edge, much smaller distance be- about 1.5 times as long as head width at eyes; scape bul-
tween wider metacoxae, metacoxae shorter and bous and somewhat longer than thick, markedly longer
wider; than ultimate antennomere; antennomere 2 about as
from Stethoranis BLAISDELL, 1931 by the more distinct shaped as scape, but somewhat smaller; antennomeres
antennal club, longer ultimate maxillary palpomere, 3-8 subtriangular to oval (about as long as thick); anten-
longer scutellum with more transverse posterior nomeres 9-11 forming a loose club, ultimate anten-
edge, much longer metaventrite, metacoxae some- nomere about twice wider than previous ones, anten-
what shorter, simple pro- and metatibiae; nomere 11 about 1.5 times longer than antennomeres 9
from RanaliesTOMASZEWSKA, 2000 by the more distinct and 10, its apex subconical. Pronotum subquadrate,
antennal club, evenly outlined pronotal sides, more wider at rounded anterior angles than at pointed poste-
transverse posterior edge of scutellum, longer rior ones, about 1 and 2/3 as long as wide, rather vault-
metaventrite, somewhat smaller distance between ed and moderately steeply sloping at slightly carinate
much wider metacoxae, gently rounded posterior sides; its anterior edge almost straight, posterior edge
edge of hypopygidium. widely convex in the middle and slightly emarginate at
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trites 2-4 combined, hypopygidium slightly longer than
each of ventrites 2-4 and widely rounded at apex. Epi-
pleura of elytra moderately narrow (slightly narrower
than antennal club), elevated laterally and gradually
narrowing posteriorly.
Legs very narrow and very long. Trochanters of
elongate type and moderately long. Tibiae very thin and
somewhat longer than femora, sparsely covered with
long setae and without spurs. Femora of usual configura-
tion and about three-four times as wide as correspon-
ding tibiae. Tarsi with four simple subcylindrical tar-
someres, tarsomeres 1 somewhat shorter than each of
tarsomeres 2 and 3, ultimate tarsomere slightly shorter
than tarsomeres 2 and 3, claws simple, narrow and mod-
erately long, about 1/3 as long as ultimate tarsomere.
Family Latridiidae ERICHSON, 1842
This family is characterized by the rather small body
size with coarse puncturation and sculpture, more or less
developed antennal club, crenulate or at least uneven
pronotal sides, comparatively small oval pro- and meso-
coxae, metacoxae usually rather widely separated, most-
ly three-segmented tarsi (except four-segmented tarsi in
one subfamily recently described as new from Lebanese
Fig. 7: Corticaria hodebertisp.nov.: (a) body of holotype, dorsal; (b) ibid., amber: KIREJTSHUK& AZAR2008). Modern representa-
ventral. tives are completely mycetophagous and associated with
spores and mycelium of different fungi (both lower and
posterior angles; at posterior angle there are short sub- higher), particularly molds and other Ascomycetes, live
lateral sulci and between them there is a slightly curved in branches of trees, leaf-litter, fruit-bodies of macrofun-
transverse depression. Scutellum small, slightly nar- gi and decaying substrates of plant origin. Usually this
rowed at base and widely rounded at apex. Elytra about family is considered to consist of two subfamilies (Latri-
1 and 1/3 as long as wide combined, strongly convex at diinae and Corticariinae). The earliest record of this
disk and rather steeply sloping at sides, their sides arcu- group is known from Lower Cretaceous Lebanese (KI-
ate and widest at midlength, apices arcuate and appar- REJTSHUK& AZAR2008) and Burmese amber (RASNIT-
ently forming a small sutural angle, adsutural lines ab- ZIN& ROSS2000). Then it was registered in Upper Cre-
sent. Only widely rounded apex of pygidium slightly ex- taceous Taimyr amber from Yantardakh (ZHERICHIN
posed from under apices of elytra. 1977). Most members of this family (both Latridiinae
Two maxillary palpomeres visible, ultimate one and Corticariinae) were recorded from Upper Eocene
about twice as long as penultimate one and gently nar- Baltic amber (KLEBS1910; HIEKE&PIETRZENIUK1984;
rowing at apex. Prosternum medially moderately vault- BOROVIEC1985; KUBISZ2000; etc.), although some spe-
ed, its process apparently very narrow and moderately cies were also recovered from the Lower Oligocene Flo-
far projecting beyond posterior edge of procoxae. Dis- rissant shales (WICKHAM1913, 1914a, 1914b), the Up-
tance between mesocoxae markedly greater than that per Oligocene Aix deposits (HEER 1856), the Lower
between procoxae, and that between metacoxae about Miocene of Rott (SCHLECHTENDAL1894), and the Plio-
twice as great as that between mesocoxae. Procoxae ap- cene of Durham (LESNE1920).
parently transverse and not closed posteriorly. Mesoven-
trite moderately short. Mesocoxae suboval and moder- Subfamily Corticariinae CURTIS, 1829
ately globous. Metaventrite depressed in the middle in The specimens examined completely fit with syn-
distal half, only slightly shorter than prosternum, poste- drome of the family because of the characteristic out-
rior edge between coxae shallowly angularly excised. lines of many body sclerites, including shape of head, all
Metepisterna moderately narrow (apparently about 1.5 coxae, three-segmented tarsi and so on. The configura-
times as wide as antennal club). Abdominal ventrite 1 tion of pronotum, lack of median furrow on head and
about 2/3 as long as metaventrite and as long as ven- longitudinal ridges on elytra and short prosternal
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process support its attribution to the subfamily Corti-
cariinae. Four specimens found among the studied in-
clusions seem to belong to the genus Corticaria,which is
exclusively diverse and represented in the Recent fauna
by more than 50 species. Two specimens with shorter
elytra as well as with finer and sparser dorsal punctura-
tion are here described as two separate species.
Genus CorticariaMARSHALL, 1802
Corticaria hodebertisp.nov. (Fig. 7, Figs 8-12)
Material: Holotype – ”PA 394“, sex unknown. The
rather clear complete beetle with right anterior and in-
termediate legs turned anteriorly and missing left anten-
nomeres 3-11 is included in a small and thin subquad-
rangular amber piece (with length about 5.0 mm and
width 3.5 mm) with a small compressed vesicle from the
right side of beetle abdomen. The mouthparts of the
beetle are obscured by a thick ”milky“ cover. This piece
is embedded in Canada balsam between quadrangular
glass covers.
Etymology: The epithet of the new species is devot-
ed to G. HODEBERTwho assisted the authors in prepara- Figs 8-13: Corticaria hodebertisp.nov. (8-12), holotype: (8) body, dorsal; (9)
metaventrite and abdomen, ventral; (10) antenna; (11) mentum, ventral; (12)
tion of illustrations for this and other papers.
maxillary terminal palpomeres; Corticaria missasp.nov.: (13) antenna. Scale
Diagnosis: Two new species here described are dis- bars: A = 0.25 mm (Fig. 8); B = 0.2 mm (Figs 9-13).
tinct among the congeners due to the comparatively
large antennomere 2, shortened elytra, remaining pygid-
ium completely or mostly uncovered, very smoothed pronotum and diffuse puncturation of elytra. Corticaria
sculpture of dorsum, rather sparse and diffuse or nearly reitteriSCHLETENDAL, 1894 from the Lower Miocene of
diffuse puncturation on elytra, distinct crenellation Rott is a doubtful member of this genus because of its
along pronotal sides, simple tibiae and lack of both de- transverse eyes, rather wide pronotum, rather short
pression on pronotal disc and adsutural lines on distal frons before the eyes, very small antennomere 2 and
half of elytra. These new species can be discriminated scarcely expressed antennal club, and the mentioned
due to the shape and length of the last antennomere, characters make possible to discriminate this species
shape of pronotum, conspicuousness of dorsal pubes- and both Corticaria hodeberti sp.nov. and C. missa
cence, character of puncturation of the pronotum, and sp.nov. It is difficult to compare the species under de-
traces of longitudinal rows of punctures on elytra. Be- scription and species of Corticaria described by WICK-
sides, among fossil Latridiids Corticaria hodebertisp.nov. HAM(1913, 1914a, b) from the Lower Oligocene Floris-
andC. missasp.nov.are distinct from Stephostethus jan-
sant shales. The latter can be regarded as the forms with
taricus(BOROWIEC,1985) (Baltic amber) by the smaller questionable generic attribution. The new species differ
and more slender body, smoothed integument and finer
from all of them (C. aeternaWICKHAM, 1914a; C. egre-
diffuse puncturation of all dorsal sclerites, narrower an-
giaWICKHAM, 1914b; C. occlusaWICKHAM, 1914b and
terior part of head with distinct temples behind larger
C. petrefactaWICKHAM, 1913) in the smaller body, nar-
eyes, clear antennal club, distinct crenellation along
rower and subcircular pronotum, apparently finer and
pronotal sides and strongly transverse scutellum. They
sparser puncturation of pronotum and elytra.
are quite different from Succinimontia infletaZHERICHIN,
1977 (Taimyr amber) due to their more slender body, Some Recent species of Corticariahave also more or
more subcircular pronotum, diffuse puncturation on ely- less shortened elytra [for instance, some specimens of C.
tra, transverse scutellum, exposed pygidium, narrowly fuscula(GYLLENHAL, 1827) have the pygidium and part
separated meso- and metacoxae, and somewhat narrow- of previous segment uncovered by elytra], however, all
er femora of usual shape. Corticariahodebertisp.nov.and of them are, in addition to smaller antennomere 2 and
C. missasp.nov.can be distinguished from C. melamoph- clear adsutural lines, characterized by the distinct dorsal
talmaHEER, 1856 (Lower Oligocene Aix-en-Provence) puncturation with clear longitudinal rows of punctures
due to the smaller body, narrower and subcircular on elytra. Other Recent species of the genus have near-
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Fig. 14:Corticaria
missasp.nov.: (a) body
of holotype,
laterodorsal; (b) ibid.,
lateroventral.
ly diffuse elytral puncturation [for instance C. fulva smoothly alutaceous. Prosternum without distinct punc-
(COMOLLI, 1837), C. umbilicata(BECK, 1817), etc.], but turation, except some large punctures along anterior
their punctures on dorsum are rather large, and they edge, and smooth. Metaventrite with rather large punc-
have also a more slender body, almost complete elytra, tures (larger than eye facets), interspaces between them
smaller antennomere 2 and clear adsutural lines. Final- about a puncture diameter and somewhat larger, com-
ly, a tendency in puncturation to become finer is ex- pletely smooth. Abdominal ventrites with somewhat
pressed in some Recent members of Melanophthalma smaller and denser punctures.
MOTSCHULSKY, 1866 together with a tendency in elytra
Head transversely subtriangular and evenly convex
to be shortened, but species of the latter genus have
dorsally, apparently as long as the distance between
structural differences in the presence of submetacoxal
moderately large eyes with moderately large facets, dis-
lines on abdominal ventrite 1, and they also have the
tance between them about 6 times as great as width of
antennomere 2 markedly thinner than (sub) apical an-
one eye; antennal insertions located at anterior edge of
tennomeres in club, and more or less expressed adsutur-
frons. Mentum subpentagonal and almost twice as wide
al lines at least in the distal half of elytra.
as long. Ultimate maxillary palpomere about twice as
Description: Holotype: Length 1.25 mm, width long as thick, subcylindrical to subconical. Antennae
0.30 mm, height about 0.23 mm. Elongate, strongly
11-segmented, moderately long, about 1 and 2/3 as long
convex dorsally and moderately convex ventrally; light
as head wide at eyes; scape subtriangularly bulbous and
brownish to straw reddish with somewhat lighter ap-
somewhat longer than thick, markedly shorter than ul-
pendages; with a moderate shine; dorsum with slightly
timate antennomere; antennomere 2 about as shaped as
conspicuous and recumbent hairs about 1.5 times as
scape but somewhat smaller; antennomeres 3 subcylin-
long as distance between their insertions; underside
drical, narrow and only slightly shorter than anten-
with much shorter and much sparser hairs.
nomere 2; antennomeres 4-7 subcylindrical as anten-
Head with distinct punctures markedly larger than nomere 3 but much shorter (about 2/3 as long as the lat-
eye facets in diameter, interspaces between them some- ter); antennomere 8 thickened apically and somewhat
what larger than a puncture diameter and smooth. wider than previous ones; antennomeres 9-11 subequal-
Pronotum and elytra with very course, shallow, partly ly thick and forming a loose club, antennomeres 9 and
indistinct, diffuse and irregular punctures about twice as 10 about 1.5 times as long as ultimate antennomere,
large as those on head, interspaces between punctures apex of the latter somewhat narrowed. Pronotum sub-
smaller than a puncture diameter and somewhat globous, widest at the middle, with arcuate sides as well
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as posterior and anterior edges, about 3/4 as long as tagonal amber piece (with maximal length about 3.5
wide, rather vaulted along the middle and moderately mm and maximal width 3.0 mm) with some cracks and
steeply sloping to crenulate lateral carina, posterior an- milky layers along body sides of the beetles. This piece
gles represented by teeth of crenellation, anterior ones is embedded in Canada balsam between the object-plate
scarcely expressed, at posterior angles there are visible and a round glass cover.
thin fold oriented posteriorly. Scutellum transverse,
Etymology: The epithet of the new species means
abrupt at apex, nearly 3 times as wide as long and slight-
”accompanied“, ”escorted“, ”attended“, ”released“ and
ly rounded at sides. Elytra about 1 and 2/5 as long as
so on.
wide combined, strongly convex at disk and rather
steeply sloping at sides, slightly widening behind shoul- Diagnosis: See the diagnosis of the previous species.
ders till the middle and then gently narrowing to con- This new species differs from it in the somewhat darker
jointly rounded to subtruncate apices, and adsutural body, more conspicuous pubescence on dorsum, prono-
lines absent. Pygidium completely and apex of previous tum apparently widest in the anterior half, ultimate an-
tergite exposed from under apices of elytra. tennomere about as long as two previous ones combined
and widely rounded to subtruncate at apex, markedly
Eyes on underside somewhat larger than on dorsal
larger and denser punctures on pronotum, and more
side, with slightly curved outline, minimal distance be-
clear punctures on elytra with some trace of longitudi-
tween them somewhat more than twice as great as
nal rows.
width of eye. Underside of head smooth and without
both grooves and sutures. Prosternum slightly medially Note: This new species is very similar to Corticaria
vaulted, without trace of foveae, its length before pro- hodebertisp.nov. and, therefore, many characters shared
coxae about 1/3 as long as metasternum; process very by both species are omitted in the description below.
narrow and not projecting beyond posterior edge of pro-
Description: Holotype: Length 1.35 mm, width ap-
coxae. Procoxal cavities apparently narrowly closed pos- parently 0.35 mm. Elongate, strongly convex dorsally
teriorly. Distance procoxae is very small (they look like and moderately convex ventrally; brownish with red-
subcontiguous), that between metacoxae about twice as dish appendages; with a slight shine, nearly mat; dorsum
great as that between mesocoxae or as antennal club with moderately conspicuous and subrecumbent hairs
thick. Procoxae suboval and comparatively small. more than twice as long as distance between their inser-
Mesosternum smoothed and somewhat deepened in tions; underside with almost invisible hairs.
comparison with plane of prosternum and metaventrite.
Pronotum with distinct punctures markedly larger
Mesocoxae suboval and rather large (apparently with
than eye facets in diameter, interspaces between them
diameter about 1.5 times as great as that in procoxae).
much smaller than a puncture diameter and smooth.
Metasternum slightly convex in the middle and with a
Elytra with more or less distinct and moderately deep
short longitudinal suture in distal part, posterior edge
punctures, somewhat smaller and markedly sparser than
between coxae shallowly emarginate. Metepisterna
those on pronotum, with some traces of longitudinal
moderately wide. Abdominal ventrite 1 somewhat
rows, interspaces between punctures 1.5-2.0 as great as
longer than ventrites 2-4 combined, hypopygidium
puncture diameter and somewhat smoothly alutaceous.
about 1.5 times as long as each of ventrites 2-4 and
Underside without clear puncturation; prosternum
widely rounded at apex. Epipleura of elytra very narrow
more or less smoothed; meso- and metaventrite smooth-
(much wider than antennal club), without clear carina
ly alutaceous and abdominal ventrites alutaceous to
and gradually narrowing posteriorly.
finely and densely microreticulated. Antennae 11-seg-
Legs moderately narrow and very long. Trochanters mented, antennomeres 9-11 subequally thick and form-
slightly elongate. Tibiae very thin and slightly longer ing a loose club, ultimate antennomere about as long as
than femora, without both setae and spurs. Femora of antennomeres 10 and 11 combined, its apex widely
usual configuration, thickest at the middle and about rounded to subtruncate. Pronotum subglobous and most
three-four times as wide as corresponding tibiae. Tarsi wide apparently in anterior half, with arcuate sides as
about 2/3 as long as tibiae, with three simple subcylin- well as posterior and anterior edges, about 3/4 as long as
drical tarsomeres, tarsomeres 1-2 comparable in length wide, rather vaulted along the middle and moderately
and ultimate tarsomere markedly longer than both pre- steeply sloping to crenulate lateral carina. Most part of
vious ones combined, claws very small and thin. pygidium exposed from under apices of elytra. Abdomi-
nal ventrite 1 about as long as ventrites 2-4 combined,
Corticaria missasp.nov. (Fig. 13, Fig. 14) hypopygidium about 1.5 times as long as each of ven-
Material: Holotype – ”PA 2381“, sex unknown. The trites 2-4 and widely rounded at apex. Epipleura of ely-
complete beetle is included in a small and thin subpen- tra very narrow (somewhat wider than antennal club).
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Family Mycteridae BLANCHARD, 1845 reminiscent of those in some Recent species of this sub-
family. Bertinotus gallicus gen. et sp.nov. differs from
This family is rather difficult to define for both Re-
Neopolypria nigra in the subuniform dorsal pubescence,
cent and extinct representatives; the recent ones have
simple mandibular apices (not bifid), larger eyes with-
adults living on flowers and vegetation, and larvae usu-
out interfacetal hairs, ultimate labial palpomere elon-
ally developing under bark or in decaying wood, al-
gate oval (not securiform), subapical antennomeres
though some developing in soil. It is characterized by
somewhat thickened, pronotum somewhat widened an-
the rather large eyes, large exposed labrum, subsecuri-
teriorly, more widened anterior part of metepisterna,
form ultimate maxillary palpomere, short and frequent-
connate three first abdominal ventrites,
ly enlarged antennomeres (particularly subapical ones),
pronotum widest at apex and rounded anterior angles, In particular, the new species is very similar (includ-
more or less reduced lateral carina of prothorax, small ing the head and eyes and with somewhat variable an-
and rounded procoxal cavities in most cases not closed tennae, but in general similar, very similar legs, includ-
posteriorly, subconical contiguous procoxae and other ing tarsi, but metatarsomere 1 about half of total tarsal
pairs of coxae very narrowly separated, connate 2-3 length) to PhysiomorphusPIC, 1917 (types of P. rufotinc-
basal abdominal ventrites, penultimate tarsomere with tusPIC, 1921; P. atricolorPIC, 1917 as well as type of Ba-
one wide lobe, tarsal claws swollen or toothed at base tobiomorphus laticollis PIC, 1920 = Laccoderus melanurus
etc. Before this study only three fossils were recorded: CHAMPION, 1916 and some specimens of other species
Mycterus molassicus HEER, 1847 from the Upper from PIC‘s collection examined) in the more robust and
Miocene of Oeningen, and also Neopolypria nigra AB- slightly smaller body (elytra of Physiomorphusspecies are
DULLAH, 1964, and a mentioning of the family by KU- at least four times longer than pronotum), not wide and
BISZ (2000) from Baltic amber. The attribution of the not transverse antennomeres, lack of paramedian de-
first species should be re-estimated after re-examination pressions at pronotal base, almost unexpressed neck be-
of the type specimen (both description and specimen re- hind eyes, expressed lateral carina of prothoracic seg-
mained unknown to the authors of this paper). Thus, ment (P. marmoratus has lateral carina; and dorsal pu-
the specimen here described represents the oldest record bescence of Physiomorphusspecies is rather variable, al-
of this family. though in general longer than in the new species). The
new species is rather similar to Pseudothisias PIC, 1930
Subfamily Eurypinae THOMSON, 1860 (types of P. bicolorPIC, 1930 examined) in the more ro-
(= Lacconotinae LECONTE, 1862) bust and slightly smaller body (elytra of P. bicolorabout
The new genus is put in this subfamily because of five times longer than pronotum), markedly larger eyes,
absence of expressed rostrum, rather large eyes, widened narrower legs (particularly tibiae), shorter tarsi
anterior edge of frons, while, on the other hand, it does (metatarsus of the new species is at most 2/3 as long as
not have an elongate and depressed body, and its elytra metatibia and metatarsomere 1 much less than 1/2 of to-
are moderately long. The composition of the subfamily tal tarsal length, while in P. bicolor the tarsomere 1 is
is still not clearly defined, although D.A. POLLOCKhas about half of total tarsal length), not depressed prono-
recently published some important information on tax- tum, larger lobes of tarsomere 4, narrower apex of ulti-
onomy and composition of this group (POLLOCK et al. mate maxillary palpomere. Besides, it is very compara-
2000; POLLOCK2005). ble with species of Lacconotopedilus(types of L. elongatus
PIC, 1936 and L. singularicornisPIC, 1935) in the much
Genus Bertinotusgen.nov. more robust and somewhat smaller body with a coarser
Type species: Bertinotus gallicussp.nov. sculpture on dorsum (in Lacconotopedilus species the
eyes are rather large; their head, pronotum and legs, in-
Etymology: Named after Nicole BERTI, who passed
cluding tarsomeres and tarsal lobes, as well as their un-
away in July 2008, with adding the Greek ”notos“
expressed neck, sculpture, and pubescence of dorsum are
(back); masculine gender.
rather similar to those in the new species), expressed
Diagnosis: The specimen examined in French am- (clear) lateral carina of prothoracic segment, not trans-
ber, in contrast to many known members of the subfam- verse antennomeres, somewhat longer tarsomere 1 (but
ily, has a rather robust body, three fused basal abdominal tooth of claws similar), shorter (more transverse) prono-
ventrites (like in some Recent forms – for instance tum and lack of paramedian depressions at its base (dor-
species of the genus LacconotopedilusPIC, 1935), rather sal pubescence of new species somewhat shorter).
large oval eyes, frons strongly widened before eyes,
Finally, the new species differs from:
pronotum without paramedian depressions at base and
lateral carina somewhat expressed only in the distal • species of the genus BatobiusFAIRMAIRE& GERMAIN,
half. Nevertheless, its appearance and characters are 1863(specimens named by PICexamined), although
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B. curtusPIC, 1926 transferred by POLLOCKto anoth- and specimens of E. cyanipennis CHAMPION, 1916
er family – in preparation) in the much more robust from Bahia from PIC’s collection examined) in the
and markedly smaller body, somewhat larger eyes (in more robust and markedly smaller body with more
Batobiusspecies the eyes are also rather developed), coarse sculpture on dorsum, rather large eyes (in Eu-
frons widened before eyes (in Batobius species the rypus species the eyes are moderately developed),
frons is equally wide at eyes and at its anterior edge), frons more widened before eyes, much shorter
much shorter labrum, not submolitiform antennae, labrum, not serrate antennae, narrower tarsomeres
longer and less curved tarsal claws with not so strong with narrower lobes of tarsomere 4 (but tooth of
tooth at base (although in general the tarsomeres claws similar), shorter (more transverse) pronotum
and lobes of tarsomere 4 are rather similar to those in and lack of paramedian depressions at its base, al-
the new species), shorter (more transverse) prono- most unexpressed neck behind eyes, somewhat more
tum with lack of paramedian depressions at its base, expressed lateral carina of prothoracic segment (ex-
almost unexpressed neck behind eyes, expressed ternally E. cyanipennislook like the new species from
(clear) lateral carina of prothoracic segment (dorsal
amber more than others; dorsal pubescence of Eury-
pubescence very similar);
pus species is rather variable, although in general
• species of the genus Cleodaeus CHAMPION, 1889 longer than in the new species);
(specimens of C. rugicepsCHAMPION, 1889 from PIC‘s • species of the genus FalsopedilusPIC, 1924 (type of F.
collection examined) in the much more robust,
modestusPIC, 1924 and some additional specimens of
somewhat larger eyes (in Cleodaeus species the eyes
other species from PIC‘s collection examined) in the
are also rather large and frons widened anteriorly),
much more robust body with somewhat smaller eyes,
much shorter labrum, not so widened subapical an-
finer and less conspicuous pubescence of the dorsum,
tennomeres, shorter tarsomere 1, tarsal claws with
much shorter and not pectinate antennae with sim-
not strong tooth at base (in general the tarsomeres
ple antennomeres, frons markedly less widened be-
and lobes of tarsomere 4 are rather similar to those in
fore eyes, much shorter labrum, wider lobes of tar-
the new species), pronotum lacking of paramedian
somere 4, much shorter (more transverse) pronotum
depressions at its base (pronotum somewhat similar
with somewhat arcuate anterior edges and sides,
in both new species and member of Cleodaeus), al-
quite distinct lateral carina of prothoracic segment,
most unexpressed neck behind eyes (dorsal pubes-
almost unexpressed neck behind eyes (in Falsopedilus
cence and lateral carina of prothoracic segment very
species the neck is more or less traced);
similar);
• species of the genus Lacconotus LECONTE, 1862
• species of the genus ConomorphinusCHAMPION, 1916
(specimens from PIC‘s collection originated from Bo- (specimens of L. pallidusVANDYKE, 1928 examined)
in the much more robust body, rather large eyes,
livia examined) in the more robust and markedly
frons widened before eyes (in Lacconotumspecies the
smaller body with less convex dorsum and a coarser
frons is narrowing anteriorly), smaller tooth at base
sculpture on it, rather large eyes, frons more widened
of claw, almost unexpressed neck behind eyes, not
before eyes, much shorter labrum, not moniliform
subserrate antennae, shorter pronotum and lack of
antennae, narrower tarsomeres with wider lobes of
paramedian depressions at its base (tarsomere 4 in
tarsomere 4 (but tooth of claws similar), shorter
Lacconotumspecies has tarsal lobe similar to that in
(more transverse) pronotum and lack of paramedian
the new species, sculpture and pubescence of their
depressions at its base, almost unexpressed neck be-
dorsum are also similar);
hind eyes, more expressed lateral carina of protho-
racic segment, shorter and denser dorsal pubescence; • species of the genus Omineus LEWIS, 1891 (type of
• species of the genus Conomorphus CHAMPION, 1889 Pseudothisias bicolor PIC, 1930 examined) in the
(types of C. rufipes PIC, 1907 = C. curticollis PIC, markedly more robust body with rather larger eyes,
1907 with comparatively large eyes examined) in the finer and less conspicuous pubescence of the dorsum,
more robust body with less convex dorsum, rather somewhat longer antennae with narrower anten-
large eyes, frons more widened before eyes (in nomeres, frons distinctly widened before eyes, signif-
Conomorphus species the frons is also slightly icantly longer and less quadrangular pronotum (with
widened anteriorly), smaller tooth at base of claw, more arcuate all edges) and lack of paramedian de-
transverse pronotum, almost unexpressed neck be- pressions at its base;
hind eyes, much wider lobes of tarsomere 4 (prono- • species of the genus PhysciusCHAMPION, 1889(type
tum of Conomorphusspecies is also without any trace of P. argentinusPIC, 1930; P. longipennisPIC, 1910; P.
of paramedian depressions at base); triimpressusPIC, 1927 and some additional specimens
• species of the genus EurypusKIRBY, 1819(specimens of other species from PIC‘s collection examined) in
of E. rubensKIRBY, 1818; E. kirbyiCHAMPION, 1916 the more robust and not parallel-sided body with
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chosalpingus species the paramedian depressions are
well expressed and elongate and lateral carina not
expressed at all), almost unexpressed neck behind
eyes (in Trichosalpingus species the neck is more or
less traced), expressed lateral carina of prothoracic
segment.
Bertinotus gallicussp.nov. (Figs 15-21, Fig. 22)
Material: Holotype –“PA 326“, sex unknown. Al-
most clear complete beetle with missing apex of right
elytron is included in a long bar of amber (with length
about 20 mm and thickness between 5 and 3 mm) with
a obliquely transverse crack at the posterior edge of
body of the beetles (the apex of missing elytron was
broken as a result of the crack). The mouthparts of the
beetle are obscured by a thick milky cover.
Etymology: The epithet of this new species is
formed from the Roman name Gallia (country of amber
origin).
Description: Holotype. Length 4.8 mm, width 1.9
mm, height 1.3 mm. Elongate, rather convex both dor-
sally and ventrally; dark pitchy brown with somewhat
lighter appendages (up to reddish apical antennomeres
and tarsi); with silver-bronze lustre; dorsum with very
dense and fine, subrecumbent to suberect, moderately
conspicuous, yellowish grey hairs about four times as
Figs 15-21: Baltinotus gallicusgen. et sp.nov., holotype: (15) body, dorsal; (16) long as distance between their insertions; underside
head, anterodorsal; (17) prothorax and head, ventral; (18) antenna; (19) with somewhat shorter and subrecumbent hairs twice as
maxillary palpus, ventral; (20) intermediate leg, dorsal; (21) tarsal claw. Scale
long as distance between their insertions.
bars: A = 1.2 mm (Figs 15-20); B = 0.6 mm (Fig. 21).
Head not punctured, but very coarsely and densely
microtuberculated (about as pronotum). Pronotum with
smaller head and markedly smaller eyes, coarser dor-
dense distinct punctures somewhat smaller than eye
sal sculpture, shorter and less conspicuous dorsal pu-
facets in diameter and also as microtuberculated as
bescence, much shorter labrum, wider lobes of tar-
head. Elytra with somewhat larger, somewhat sparser
somere 4, lack of paramedian depressions at pronotal
and less regular puncturation than that on head, inter-
base(in Physciusspecies the paramedian depressions
spaces between punctures nearly as sculptured as those
are well expressed and elongate, and also the lateral
on head and pronotum. Prosternum and mesoventrite
carina is reduced or obsolete), almost unexpressed
about as punctured and sculptured as pronotum, but
neck behind eyes (in Physcius species the neck is
with shallower and less distinct punctures, and also mi-
more or less traced), expressed lateral carina of pro-
crotuberculation becoming somewhat like microreticu-
thoracic segment;
lation. Metasternum without clear punctures and dense-
• species of the genus TrichosalpingusBLACKBURN, 1891
ly microreticulated. Sculpture and puncturation of ab-
(type of Physcius gracilicornisPIC, 1927 and one addi-
dominal ventrites looking like intermediate between
tional specimen of another species from PIC‘s collec-
those on prostermum and metaventrite.
tion examined) in the more robust body with rather
larger eyes (in Trichosalpingus species the punctura- Head somewhat longer than maximal width, dis-
tion, sculpture and pubescence of dorsum are rather tance between rather large eyes (consisting of compara-
similar, antennae similar, but their apical anten- tively fine facets) much smaller than width of trans-
nomeres are longer and narrower), frons more versely abrupt anterior edge, rather declined at frons;
widened before eyes, much shorter labrum, with antennal insertions located on frons and anterior edge
wider lobes of tarsomere 4, much shorter (more of eyes slightly emarginated at place of antennal inser-
transverse) and not widened anteriorly pronotum tions. Labrum transversely subquadrangular (about
and lack of paramedian depressions at its base (in Tri- twice as wide as long). Mandibles rather stout, gently
112