Cretamerus Peris, Kolibac & Delclos (in press)

Kolibac, Jiri, 2013, Trogossitidae: A review of the beetle family, with a catalogue and keys, ZooKeys 366, pp. 1-194 : 103

† Genus Cretamerus Peris, Kolibac & Delclos (in press) Map 11

Cretamerus Peris D., Kolibáč J. & Delclòs X. (in press): iii.

Type species.

† Cretamerus vulloi Peris, Kolibáč & Delclòs, (in press) [by monotypy and author’s designation]

Remarks.

The fossil is the oldest known record confirmed for the entire superfamily Cleroidea on the European continent. Due to the fine state of preservation, certain morphological character states of the fossil were inserted into a character matrix of Trogossitidae genera. The resulting tree reveals the basal position of Cretamerus vulloi within the lophocaterine clade. It may form an extinct branch of the recent Decamerini .

In view of its fine state of preservation, certain morphological character states of the fossil to be inserted into a character matrix of Trogossitidae genera. The resulting tree reveals the basal position of Cretamerus vulloi within the lophocaterine clade. It may form an extinct branch of the recent Decamerini .

Original diagnosis.

Body very small, less than 2 mm. Antenna 10-segmented, 3-segmented club nearly symmetrical. Prothorax with dentate lateral margin; procoxal cavities externally closed. Elytra without carinae, punctation irregular or less than obviously regular. Tibiae with two straight (i.e. not hooked) spurs. Abdomen with six visible ventrites.

Distribution.

France: Charente-Maritime (Fouras/Bois-Vert); Cretaceous: early Cenomanian.

Species:

† Cretamerus vulloi Peris, Kolibáč & Delclòs (in press); France; Cretaceous (AD)

Peris D., Kolibáč J. & Delclòs X. (in press): iii

Figures

Map 11. A distribution of the tribe Decamerini including the newly described genus † Cretamerus. A position of Eronyxa is indicated.