Pseudothroscus balticus, 2019

Muona, Jyrki, 2019, Throscidae (Coleoptera) relationships, with descriptions of new fossil genera and species, Zootaxa 4576 (3), pp. 521-543 : 528-529

Pseudothroscus balticus new species

Figs. 4 , 5 , 22

Type material. Holotype labeled: Pseudothroscus balticus n.sp/ HOLOTYPE /J.Muona des. 10-2015.

Embedded in clear Baltic amber piece, 12 mm x 6 mm, sex unknown. Stellate oak hairs, other plant matter and an unidentified psocopteran are present in the piece as well ( Fig. 22 ). Paratype of unknown sex embedded in a large clear piece of Baltic Amber, 28 mm x 59 mm. Some plant matter and two sciarid nematocerans are present as well. One of the dipterans is a perfectly preserved Lobosciara sp. male (Pekka Vilkamaa det.). Two further paratypes embedded together in rectangular Baltic Amber piece, 27 mm x 13 mm x 5 mm, sex unknown. Age 50 My. Numerous hirsute plant remains are present as well ( Fig. 22 ).

Diagnosis. Characterized by complete lateral pronotal carinae, large eyes, absence of tarsal grooves and small antennal fossae with delicate ridges.

Description. Length 3.2 (HT) – 4.0 (PT) mm. Head and pronotum with relatively dense punctation, punctures mostly small, microsculpture weak ( Figs. 4 , 5 ). Elytral striae deep, wide and strongly punctate, interstices twice as wide, very densely minutely punctate, convex ( Fig. 4 ). Hypomera very densely punctate, presternum less so, metaventrite fairly sparsely punctate, punctures small. Abdomen mostly sparsely punctate, more densely towards apex, punctures large. Vestiture dense, on dorsum slightly erect, on abdomen not so.

Etymology. Known only from Baltic amber.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Pseudothroscus balticus n. sp., dorsal view.

FIGURE 5. Pseudothroscus balticus n. sp., ventral view. AC = antennal club; AF = antennal pit boarded by delicate ridge; L = labrum; LC = complete lateral pronotal ridge; MsT = simple mesotibia.

FIGURE 22. Pseudothroscus balticus n. sp., holotype.