Three new species of the extant genus Eucinetus from mid-Cretaceous amber of northern Myanmar (Coleoptera: Eucinetidae)

Zootaxa. 2024 Aug 5;5492(2):214-230. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5492.2.4.

Abstract

Three new species of plate-thigh beetles are described and figured from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, all representing the extant genus Eucinetus Germar. The species, Eucinetus debilispinus Li & Cai sp. nov., E. panghongae Li & Cai sp. nov., and E. zhenhuai Li & Cai sp. nov., are distinguished from each other by the forms of the antennomeres, leg spination, and form of the spurs. The genus Eucinetus represents a key example of long-term evolutionary stasis with a subcortical lifestyle. This further demonstrates the role of stable cryptic microhabitats in the persistence of some lineages over vast spans of geological time.

MeSH terms

  • Amber* / chemistry
  • Animal Distribution*
  • Animal Structures / anatomy & histology
  • Animal Structures / growth & development
  • Animals
  • Body Size
  • Coleoptera* / anatomy & histology
  • Coleoptera* / classification
  • Ecosystem
  • Female
  • Fossils / anatomy & histology
  • Male
  • Myanmar
  • Organ Size

Substances

  • Amber