Thoracotes Handlirsch, 1906

Kolibac, Jiri, 2013, Trogossitidae: A review of the beetle family, with a catalogue and keys, ZooKeys 366, pp. 1-194 : 76-77

† Genus Thoracotes Handlirsch, 1906 Figs 24 , 25 ; Map 5

Thoracotes Handlirsch, A. 1906-1908: 438-439, Taf. XLI-9 (1906).

Type species.

Thoracotes dubius Handlirsch, 1906 [by monotypy]

Kolibáč, J. 2006: 121 (classification). Ponomarenko, A. G. 1985: 68. Ponomarenko, A. G. 1990: 74. Ponomarenko, A. G. & Kireichuk, A. G. 2005-2008: http://www.zin.ru/animalia/Coleoptera/rus/paleosy2.htm. Schmied, H. et al. 2009: 24

Description

( Thoracotes dubius ): " Ein 8 mm langer Käfer von ähnlicher Gestalt wie Parnidium Geinitzi. Der Prothorax is aber anders geformt un nähert sich mehr der Kreisform, Auch der Kopf scheint anders gewesen zu sein. Flügeldecken punktiert, 3,5 mal so lang als breit. Geinitz vergleicht diese Form mit Latridiites Schaumi, mit dem sie allerdings auch einige Ähnlichkeit hat. "

This is potentially the oldest fossil record of Trogossitidae . Unfortunately, its description is inadequate and the illustration very poor. It is unclear to me why two more Mesozoic species from Russia were assigned to this dubious genus. It was not indicated in the original papers describing the two new species if the type of Thoracotes dubius was studied in situ ( Ponomarenko 1985, 1990). The specimen appears to be housed in Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald, Germany. (A facsimile of the original description and illustration in Figs 24 , 25 .)

Description

( Thoracotes glabrus , translation from Russian). " Head sligthtly longer than wide, narrowed in front of eyes; eyes relatively large, situated at sides of head; cheeks [genae] short; temples [tempora] slightly shorter than eyes. The first antennomere large, second transverse, third 1.5 times longer than second, fourth to seventh as long as wide, eighth longer than wide, nineth to eleventh asymmetric. Pronotum with lateral margins rounded, its corners not acute, 1.5 times longer than wide. Front coxae not large, spherical, with exposed trochantins. Prosternal process short and blunt. Middle coxae transverse, nearly touching each other. Metathorax trapezoidal, narrowed anteriad, its length 1.8 times lesser than wide at hind [basal] margin. Hind coxae touch each other, transverse, not concave posteriorly [sic] and without coxal plates, at lateral sides shorter than at mid-point. Last abdominal sternite distinctly longer than penultimate one. Ovipositor long, with sclerotized palpifers [sic] and pairs of appendages [coxitae] with pubescent cerci [styli]. Legs relatively long, tibiae and tarsi thin. Elytra smooth. Length of beetle 3.6, width 1.6; length of elytra 2.3 mm. " " The beetle of Pavlovka distinctly smaller (length 3.0, width 1.0 mm). " ( Ponomarenko 1990: 74.)

Distribution.

Germany: Dobbertin in Mecklenburg, Russia: central Siberia; Transbaikalia: Pavlovka, Onokhoy; Mesozoic: from Lower to Upper Jurassic.

Species:

† Thoracotes dubius Handlirsch, 1906; Germany; Lower Jurassic: Upper Lias (varA)

Kolibáč, J. 2006: 121 (classification). Schmied, H. et al. 2009: 24

† Thoracotes glabrus Ponomarenko, A., 1990; Russia: Transbaikalia; Upper Jurassic (varA)

Ponomarenko, A. G. 1990: 74. Kolibáč, J. 2006: 121. Ponomarenko, A. G. & Kireichuk, A. G. 2005-2008: http://www.zin.ru/animalia/Coleoptera/rus/paleosy2.htm. Schmied, H. et al. 2009: 24

† Thoracotes sibiricus Ponomarenko, 1985; Russia: Siberia; Middle Jurassic (varA)

Ponomarenko, A. G. 1985: 68. Kolibáč, J. 2006: 121. Ponomarenko, A. G. & Kireichuk, A. G. 2005-2008: http://www.zin.ru/animalia/Coleoptera/rus/paleosy2.htm. Schmied, H. et al. 2009: 24

Figures

Map 5. A distribution of the tribe Trogossitini.

Figure 24. A facsimile of Handlirsch 1906: 438 - 439. The original description of Thoracotes dubius.

Figure 25. A facsimile of Handlirsch 1906: Tab. XLI, fig. 9. The original illustration of Thoracotes dubius.