Autosilis annisettaekoppelae, Fanti & Damgaard, 2018

Fanti, Fabrizio & Damgaard, Anders Leth, 2018, Fossil soldier beetles from Baltic amber of the Anders Damgaard amber collection (Coleoptera Cantharidae), Baltic Journal of Coleopterology 18 (1), pp. 1-32 : 25-28

Autosilis annisettaekoppelae n. sp.

( Fig. 19 )

Holotype. Male, in Baltic amber, accession No. ALDC0456 /ALD. Ba.Can. 20

Type locality. Russia, Kaliningrad Region, Sambian Peninsula, amber quarry near Yantarny (previously known as Palmnicken).

Type horizon. Middle Eocene (Lutetian) (47.8- 41.2 MY) to Late Eocene (Priabonian) (37.8- 33.9 MY).

Differential diagnosis. Concerning the fossil records of the genus Autosilis , only one

fragment strictly related to the extant (cfr.) A. nitidula (Fabricius, 1792) from the Tertiary strata of Aix-en-Provence, France, is known ( Serres 1843; Pictet 1854; Fanti 2017a). Other remains, such as Silis sp. , are known from Eocene Baltic amber ( Klebs 1910; Bachofen-Echt 1949; Fanti 2017a), but given the past confusion between the two genera, they also could be members of Autosilis . One specimen of Silis ruficollis (Fabricius, 1775) is also known from the Holocene (5200-5100 y/o) deposit of Sweet Track, United Kingdom ( Girling 1979). The new species here described shows a coloration (dark brown) different from that of A. nitidula , which is completely black in males and black with orange-red pronotum in females. The genus Autosilis is characterized by glabrous pronotum in the anterior half and without deep cavities ( Kazantsev 1994).

Description. Adult, winged. Male, defined on the basis of pronotum with modified sides. Body length ~ 8 mm but difficult to be certain

because the head is folded and unobtrusive. Entirely dark brown. Head small and roundish. Eyes subspherical. Maxillary palpomeres unequal; first segment very short; second elongated; third with intermediate length between the first and the second; last segment securiform. Labial palps 3-segmented. Antennae inserted far away from the eyes, slightly surpassing the metafemurs, 11-segmented, filiform, covered with small setae; scape globular, massive and elongated; pedicel extremely short; antennomere III twice longer than pedicel; antennomeres IV-VI subequal elongated with small expansion at sides; antennomeres VII-XI filiform, very elongated. Pronotum rounded, smooth, without deep cavities, flat except for the basal part which is slightly concave, with the lower process at sides very large and the upper process at sides very thin, slightly pointed and about one-half as long as the lower process. Scutellum very wide at base and elongated at apex, which is roundish. Elytra as wide as pronotum (considering the end of the lower process) with microsculpture rugose and some setae, elongated and covering the last abdominal segments; apex strongly rounded. Posterior wings covered by elytra. Sternum and abdominal segments covered with numerous setae. Legs short and pubescent; coxae roundish; trochanters elongated and triangular with roundish apex; femora very robust and massive; tibiae short as femora, cylindrical, thin and with a spur at apex. Tarsal formula 5-5-5; first segment elongated and slightly enlarged apically; second shorter than first; third segment subequal to second; fourth segment very bilobed at sides; fifth very elongated; claws simple with tooth at base on the inner claws.

Etymology. This new species is named in honour of the Danish singer Annisette Koppel (born Hansen), in recognition of her long career.

Syninclusions. Air bubbles, several wood remains (particles), pyrite.

Remarks. The amber piece measures 10 x 28 x 5 mm and shows numerous internal cracks. The inclusion is probably complete but ventrally, it is covered by a white cotton-like cloud (emulsion, milky substance), which does not allow a good view of some parts. In fact, the head is folded and the left antenna is partially visible.

Figures

Fig. 19. Autosilis annisettaekoppelae n. sp. in Baltic amber. A: Holotype, dorsal view, bar = 1.0 mm; B: Holotype, ventral view, bar = 1.0 mm; C: Holotype, lateral view, bar = 1.0 mm; D: Holotype, detail of scutellum and humeral zone of elytra, bar = 500 μm.