A new enigmatic lineage of Dascillidae (Coleoptera: Elateriformia) from Eocene Baltic amber described using X-ray microtomography, with notes on Karumiinae morphology and classification
<p>Dascillidae are a species-poor beetle group with a scarce fossil record. Here, we describe <i>Baltodascillus serraticornis</i> gen. et sp. nov. based on a well-preserved specimen from Eocene Baltic amber. It differs from all known Dascillidae by its reduced mandibles. After stud...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Pensoft Publishers
2021-05-01
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| Series: | Fossil Record |
| Online Access: | https://fr.copernicus.org/articles/24/141/2021/fr-24-141-2021.pdf |
| Summary: | <p>Dascillidae are a species-poor beetle group with a scarce
fossil record. Here, we describe <i>Baltodascillus serraticornis</i> gen. et sp. nov. based on a well-preserved
specimen from Eocene Baltic amber. It differs from all known Dascillidae by
its reduced mandibles. After studying the specimen using light microscopy
and X-ray microtomography, we tentatively place this genus in the poorly
defined subfamily Karumiinae based on the large eyes, serrate antennae, and
lack of prosternal process. This is the first representative of the
Dascillidae formally described from Baltic amber and the first described
fossil member of the subfamily Karumiinae. We briefly discuss the
problematic higher classification of Dascillidae, along with the morphology
and biogeography of the group.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 2193-0066 2193-0074 |