An enigmatic Cretaceous beetle with possible affinity to Erotylidae (Coleoptera: Cucujiformia).
Curr Res Insect Sci
; 5: 100075, 2024.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38374887
ABSTRACT
The morphology of beetles of the recently defined superfamilies Erotyloidea, Nitiduloidea and Cucujoidea is varied. Determining the systematic positions of Mesozoic fossils within these groups can often be challenging. Here we describe and illustrate a puzzling cucujiform beetle, Isocryptophilus exilipunctus Li & Cai gen. & sp. nov., based on an individual from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. While we cannot definitively pinpoint the exact phylogenetic position of Isocryptophilus, its possible affinity to Erotylidae is discussed in light of our phylogenetic analyses. A broader-sampled morphological matrix, coupled with a robust molecular phylogeny of these groups, will be promising for clarifying the systematic placement of the fossil.
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Curr Res Insect Sci
Year:
2024
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
China