A.G. Kirejtshuk & G. Poinar. 2013. On the systematic position of the genera Lepiceroides gen.n. Рё Haplochelus... Myxophaga...
A.G. Kirejtshuk & G. Poinar. 2013.
On the systematic position of the genera Lepiceroides gen. n. and Haplochelus with notes on the taxonomy and phylogeny of the Myxophaga (Coleoptera).
In: Azar, D., Engel, M.S., Jarzembowski, E., Krogmann, L., Nel, A. & Santiago-Blay, J. (Eds). Insect Evolution in an Amberiferous and Stone Alphabet. Brill, Leiden, p. 55-69.
DOI: 10.1163/9789004210714_006
This paper is available online on the electronic version of the journal:
http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/b9789004210714s006
Abstract.
Lepiceroides pretiosus gen. et sp. n. (Coleoptera: Lepiceridae), which is
closely related to the recent species of Lepicerus Motschusky, 1855, is
described from Lower Cretaceous Burmese amber. The two genera differ from
each other in the shape of the labrum, maxillary palpi, number of antennomeres,
elytral sculpture, separation of the meso- and metacoxae and shape of the
tibiae. The distinctiveness of the genus Haplochelus within the superfamily
Lepiceroidea (Myxophaga) and its unique characteristics as related to the order
Coleoptera are reiterated. The long and narrow gula, completely fused elytra
without the trace of a suture, faint longitudinal costae, 7-segmented antennae,
narrowly separated pro-, meso- and metacoxae, long mesoventrite and very short
metaventrite justify the retention of the taxon in the family group with the
rank of subfamily. Explanations for the wide family diversification of this
group are presented. Phylogenetic scenarios regarding the age and origin of the
Myxophaga are proposed.