Work

Fantosmium, a New Genus of Onthophilinae From Mid‐Cretaceous Kachin Amber (Coleoptera: Histeridae)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT We describe and illustrate Fantosmium qizhihaoi gen. et sp. nov., a new histerid beetle from mid‐Cretaceous Kachin amber, and evaluate its phylogenetic position based on morphological characters. Our analysis recovers Fantosmium as part of the extant subfamily Onthophilinae, allied to the Cretaceous genera Cretonthophilus Caterino et al., Phasmister Caterino, and Carinumerus Caterino. It resembles these fossil genera in possessing ventrally open hypomeral antennal cavities and a projecting prosternal lobe. Fantosmium is particularly distinctive in its elytral morphology, exhibiting weakly elevated elytral carinae ornamented with small denticles, an intercarinal surface bearing irregular reticulate sculpture, explanate and irregularly punctate epipleura, and a strongly undulate posterior elytral margin. The discovery of Fantosmium provides new insights into the early evolutionary history and morphological diversity of Onthophilinae.

Source: Ecology and Evolution

DOI: 10.1002/ece3.71849

Authors: Yan‐Da Li, Di‐Ying Huang, Chen‐Yang Cai

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Bristol, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology, State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy

Language: English

Topic: Fossil Insects in Amber

Subfield: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,570

Funders: University of Bristol, National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Scholarship Council