Dytiscidae

Prokin, Alexander A., Hájek, Jiří, Vasilenko, Dmitry V. & Perkovsky, Evgeny E., 2024, The oldest Rhantus (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae) from the earliest Eocene Fur Formation, Denmark, Zootaxa 5458 (2), pp. 263-274 : 268-269

Dytiscidae sp. indet.

( Figs. 9–10 )

Material studied. DK 390 ( NHMD 624949): Fur Formation; Silstrup Member, Klitgården Klint (cliff), Mors, ash layers from +25 to +30. Incomplete imprint of beetle, without head and part of pronotum, with partly preserved hind legs.

Diagnosis. Oval medium-sized beetle ( Fig. 9 ), total length around 13 mm, length of elytron 8.6 mm, maximum width near shoulders 6.3 mm. Lateral lobe of metaventrite short. Metatarsus with long natatorial setae on dorsal margin and strong sharp setae on ventral margin; metatarsal claws subequal in shape and size ( Fig. 10 ).

Comments. Poor preservation of the fossil does not allow identifying this specimen precisely. Based on its large size and the shape of the metatarsus, affiliation to the subfamily Agabinae , and in particular to the genus Agabus Leach, 1817 , is the most likely option.

Figures

FIGURES 9–10. Dytiscidae sp., specimen DK 390 (NHMD 624949): 9. photo of the specimen, scale bar 4 mm; 10. hind legs, dorsal view, scale bar 1 mm.