Boring beetles are not necessarily dull: New notocupedins (Insecta: Coleoptera) from the Mesozoic of Eurasia and East Gondwana

Beetles belonging to the extinct tribe Notocupedini (Coleoptera: Cupedidae: Ommatinae) are widespread in Mesozoic deposits of eastern Pangaea. Four new species are proposed in the genus/collective group Zygadenia: Z. liui sp. nov. (Aptian: Yixian Formation, China), Z. martinae sp. nov. (Sinemurian–Toarcian: Cattamarra Coal Measures, Australia), Z. floodpagei sp. nov. and Z. simpsoni sp. nov. (Hauterivian–Barremian: Weald Clay Group, UK). The Purbeck species Z. tuberculata and Z. angliae are figured from the Weald Clay Group for the first time. It is also proposed that Notocupes, the largest genus in this presumably xylophagous, warm climate tribe, be divided into two subgenera: Notocupes subgen. n. and Amblomma stat. nov. In addition, the palaeoecological significance of colour markings in these Mesozoic beetles is also discussed for the first time. These discoveries extend the geographic distribution/stratigraphic range of Zygadenia and shed new light on the palaeoecology and diversity of so-called 'primitive' beetles in pre-angiospermous woodlands.     

Biting midges of the extinct genus Protoculicoides Boesel from Lower Cretaceous amber of San Just,Spain and new synonymy in recently described fossil genera (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

We describe two new species of extinct biting midges in the fossil genus Protoculicoides: Protoculicoides hispanicus Szadziewski and Arillo, sp. nov. and Protoculicodes sanjusti Szadziewski and Arillo, sp. nov., from Albian (101–113 Ma) amber of San Just, Spain. Atriculicoides Remm, 1976 is recognized as a new junior synonym of Protoculicoides Boesel, 1937 (NEW SYNONYM). Devalquia Choufani et al., 2013 is regarded here as a new junior synonym of the extant genus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (NEW SYNONYM). Metahelea roggeroi Choufani et al., 2013 from Upper Cretaceous French amber, is excluded from the tribe Heteromyiini and placed in the extant genus Stilobezzia Kieffer, 1911, tribe Ceratopogonini: Stilobezzia roggeroi (Choufani et al., 2013), comb. nov. The extinct tribe Atriculicoidini Szadziewski, 1996 is regarded as a new subfamily, Atriculicoidinae, stat. nov., that includes the fossil genus Protoculicoides, with 13 species reported from Albian, Turonian, Cenomanian, Coniacian, Santonian and Campanian ambers (78–113 Ma). Protoculicoides skalskii Szadziewski & Arillo, 1998 from Lower Cretaceous amber of Álava, Spain, Protoculicoides succineus Szadziewski, 1966 from Lower Cretaceous Lebanese amber and Protoculicoides burmiticus Szadziewski & Poinar, 2005 from Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber are transferred to the extinct genus Archiculicoides Szadziewski, 1996, comb. nov. Protoculicoides krzeminskii Choufani et al., 2014 from Lower Cretaceous Lebanese amber is transferred to the extinct genus Archiaustroconops Szadziewski, 1996, comb. nov. The Cretaceous subfamily Atriculicoidinae forms an unresolved trichotomy with the extant subfamilies Forcipomyiinae and Dasyheleinae, both of which date to the Eocene. The fossil record indicates that wings with macrotrichia in biting midges evolved during the mid-Cretaceous greenhouse climate. We suggest that this was an evolutionary adaptation to new atmospheric conditions with higher levels of CO₂ in order for the antennal Johnston's organs of males to receive the vibrational sex signals produced by females during flight.     

First record of Sinoxytelus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) from the Urey locality of Transbaikalia,Russia, with discussion on its systematic position

A new rove beetle species, Sinoxytelus transbaicalicus sp. nov., is described and figured from the Urey locality (Urey beds, Early Cretaceous?), Transbaikalia, Russia. Sinoxytelus is the dominant genus in the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of northeastern China, but this is the first report from the territory of Russia. The new species can be easily separated from the rest of its congeners by the presence of a relatively large head, transverse pronotum, and slightly tapered abdomen. In addition, the systematic position of Sinoxytelus in the extant subfamily Oxytelinae is discussed. Sinoxytelus is transferred from the tribe Oxytelini to the more basal tribe Coprophilini.     

New fossil mesosciophilids (Diptera: Nematocera) from the Yixian Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of western Liaoning,China

A new genus with two new species, Orentalphila gravia gen. et sp. nov. and O. caloa sp. nov., and three new species in two known genera, Sinosciophila angustia sp. nov., Sinosciophila seboa sp. nov. and Similsciophila undulata sp. nov., are described from the Lower Cretaceous of Yixian Formation at Huangbanjigou, Beipiao City, western Liaoning, China. These new taxa, representing the first records of mesosciophilids from this locality, provide morphological information and diversity for Mesosciophilidae in the Early Cretaceous. An updated key to known genera of Mesosciophilidae is provided. In addition, according the generic diagnosis revised by Zhang, 2007, Mesoplecia antiqua Hao and Ren, 2009 should be transferred to Mesosciophila Rohdendorf, 1946.     

New Cretaceous Elcanidae from China and Myanmar (Insecta,Orthoptera)

A new species of Elcanidae (Orthoptera: Elcanoidea), Panorpidium yixianensis sp. nov., is described based on two new specimens from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of northeastern China. It differs from other species in forewing characters and spines on the hind tibiae. In addition, a new specimen Burmelcana sp., is described and figured based on an amber inclusion from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese (Myanmar) amber. P. yixianensis sp. nov. represents the first definite record of Elcanidae in the Early Cretaceous Jehol biota, and Panorpidium is the only genus of Ensifera to be found in the Early Cretaceous faunas of England, Russia and China.     

First record of the beetle family Lasiosynidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) from the Lower Cretaceous of China

A new genus, Cretasyne gen. nov., in the family Lasiosynidae, with two species C. lata sp. nov. and C. longa sp. nov., is described from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Inner Mongolia, China. These fossils are the first record of the family from the Yixian Formation and provide significant information on lasiosynid morphology and diversity. The fossil record of Lasiosynidae is also reviewed.     

New fossil flower bugs (Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha: Cimicoidea: Vetanthocoridae) with uniquely long ovipositor from the Yixian Formation (Lower Cretaceous), China

A new genus and new species, Longilanceolatus tenellus gen. et sp. nov., is described and assigned to the tribe Vetanthocorini of the fossil family Vetanthocoridae. In addition, a new species, Curvicaudus spinosus sp. nov., is also described. All specimens were collected from the Lower Cretaceous of the Yixian Formation at Huangbanjigou, Chaomidian Village, Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, northeastern China. Body size, ovipositor length, abdomen length, and other characters of eleven genera from the Middle Jurassic to Eocene are summarized. Comparison of body size of all specimens in the Vetanthocoridae and Anthocoridae (sensu lato) indicate a general trend toward smaller body size through their evolution. Moreover, Longilanceolatus, with uniquely long ovipositor, is related to a different type of oviposition compared with extant flower bugs.     

Systematic revision of the fossil snakefly family Baissopteridae (Insecta: Raphidioptera) from the Lower Cretaceous of China,with description of a new genus and three new species

The fossil snakefly family Baissopteridae from the Lower Cretaceous (upper Barremian) of the Yixian Formation of Liaoning Province, China is reviewed. Two genera and five species of Baissopteridae are recorded, including a new genus, namely Microbaissoptera gen. nov., and three new species, i.e., Baissoptera bicolor sp. nov., Baissoptera sinica sp. nov., and Microbaissoptera monosticha sp. nov. Moreover, Baissoptera euneura Ren, 1997 is herein treated as a new junior synonymy of Baissoptera grandis Ren in Ren et al., 1995. Baissoptera minima Ponomarenko, 1993 is transferred to the presently described new genus Microbaissoptera gen. nov. based on the small body-size and the presence of a single gradate series of crossveins in radial and medial areas of posterior part of both fore- and hind wings. A key to genera of Baissopteridae is provided.     

The first Early Cretaceous damsel–dragonfly (Odonata: Stenophlebiidae: Stenophlebia) from western Liaoning,China

A well-preserved forewing of the damsel–dragonfly Stenophlebia liaoningensis sp. nov. is described from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation in the Huangbanjigou Village, western Liaoning, China. This is the first discovery of the genus Stenophlebia in China, although it was widely distributed in Europe during the Late Jurassic. The discovery adds to the biodiversity of Stenophlebiidae in the Chinese Cretaceous, and provides insight on the evolution of this extinct family.     

New Fossil Beetles of the Family Ommatidae （Coleoptera： Archostemata） from the Jehol Biota of China

A new genus with one new species and five new species of genus Amblomma of fossil ommatids are described and illustrated： Euryomma tylodes gen. et sp. nov., Amblomma cyclodonta sp. nov., Amblomma miniscula sp. nov., Amblomma porrecta sp. nov., Amblomma eumeura sp. nov., and Amblomma protensa sp. nov. All of them were collected from the Upper Jurassic or Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China. A key to the species of Amblomma is given. The wide epipleural space shows that Euryomma may be a primitive genus in Ommatidae. Many different species of Amblomma occurred within the same sedimentary horizon in this area could be environmental changes caused by frequent volcanic activities during the deposition of the Yixian Formation.     

A new species of Oviparosiphidae (Hemiptera: Aphidomorpha) from the Lower Cretaceous of China

A new species Oviparosiphum stictum sp. nov. is described and assigned to the extinct family Oviparosiphidae from the Lower Cretaceous of Yixian Formation at the Huangbanjigou, Beipiao City, Liaoning, China. Well-developed ovipositors in several extinct families of Mesozoic aphids further demonstrates that oviparity is a plesiomorphic state.     

New fossil helorid wasps (Insecta,Hymenoptera, Proctotrupoidea) from the Jehol Biota,China

A new genus with a new species, Sinohelorus elegans gen. et sp. nov., is described and assigned to the subfamily Mesohelorinae, Heloridae. In addition, two new species, Gurvanhelorus beipiaoensis sp. nov. and Spherogaster saltatrix sp. nov., are also described. The diagnoses of Gurvanhelorus Rasnitsyn, 1986 and Spherogaster Zhang and Zhang, 2001 are emended based on new materials and findings. These well-preserved specimens were collected from the Jehol Biota, Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Huangbanjigou Village in Liaoning, China. These new species broaden the diversity of this family and enhance our understanding of evolutionary trend of helorid’s metasomal structure, antenna, and forewing venation from the Middle Jurassic to extant.     

A new tribe of Galerucinae leaf beetle (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from the Upper Cretaceous Taimyr amber

The new tribe Taimyralticini trib. nov., new genus Taimyraltica gen. nov. and new species Taimyraltica calcarata sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae) are described from Upper Cretaceous (Santonian) Taimyr amber of northern Siberia (Yantardakh locality). The new genus shares characters with genera of the tribe Alticini (small size, transverse antebasal groove on pronotum, regular punctate-striate elytra) and the Galerucini (narrow, non-swollen metafemora). A possible apomorphy of the new genus and tribe is a large and acute metatibial spur, erect and oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of tibia. This character state is unknown in recent and fossil genera of Galerucinae. Early evolution and divergence of leaf beetles are discussed, and a Jurassic and Early Cretaceous subfamily radiation is proposed. Fossil galerucines are reviewed. The oldest Phyllotreta is recorded from the lower Miocene of Izarra (Spain). Our findings show an extreme rarity of Phytophaga in Taimyr amber from Yantardakh. Absence of Phytophaga was recorded earlier at Obeschayuschiy (Santonian-Campanian of the Magadan Region) and compared with their much larger share in Khetana (north of Khabarovsk Krai); we find nearly the same differences between Taimyr amber from Yantardakh and Canadian amber. In Obeschayuschiy this appears due to the Mesophytic character of the flora. It is assumed that the Santonian amber gymnosperm forest of the Khatanga Basin had the same character.     

New fossil species of the Venicoridae (Heteroptera: Pentatomomorpha) from the Lower Cretaceous of Northeast China

Specimens of the Venicoridae (Heteroptera) occur in the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation in northeastern China. We describe a new genus and two new species Halonatusivena shii gen. et sp. nov. and Halonatusivena nervosus sp. nov. from this formation. The veins of the membrane are distinctive; the edges of veins are not simple but resemble an irregular stain, with a reduced vasiform structure previously unknown in the Heteroptera. Remarkably, the antennae of one of the specimens of Halonatusivena shii exhibit morphological abnormality. An identification key for the known species of the Venicoridae is provided.     

A new genus of Scoliidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) from the Lower Cretaceous of northeast China

A new genus and species of Scoliidae (Hymenoptera), Sinoproscolia yangshuwanziensis gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation in Inner Mongolia, China and attributed to the subfamily Proscoliinae. Some characteristics, including complete crossveins 1r-rs and 2r-m in the forewing, and a free section present in almost all longitudinal veins indicate a basal position of the new genus in Proscoliinae. The presence of vein 2A suggests its atavistic origin in Sinoproscolia gen. nov. rather than a true plesiomorphy.     

New protodiplatyids (Insecta: Dermaptera) from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of northeastern China

A new genus Barbderma gen. nov. with a new species, Barbderma oblonguata sp. nov., and a new species, Sinoprotodiplatys ellipsoideuata sp. nov., of the family Protodiplatyidae are described from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation at the Huangbanjigou Village, Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, China. Both new species are assigned to Protodiplatyidae mainly based on their diagnostic characters of antenna, pronotum, tegmina, tarsi and the distinct long, slender, multi-segmented cerci. These findings of fossil Protodiplatyidae provide more evidence to confirm the existence of these basal earwigs in the Early Cretaceous. Key diagnostic characters for genera of Protodiplatyidae are compared to highlight the generic variations and similarities. Evolutionary trend of cerci morphology suggests that it is likely that the cerci were evolved from long, slender and segmented to the stout terminal forceps without segmentation.     

A new genus of Brochocoleini beetle in Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber (Coleoptera: Archostemata: Ommatidae)

Ommatidae is a small, but ancient, basally nested family of the hyper-diverse beetles (Coleoptera). Here, a remarkable new taxon, Paraodontomma burmitica gen. et sp. nov., is described based on a well-preserved specimen in Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber. Based on a wider epipleural rim on each elytron, the new genus belongs to the extinct tribe Brochocoleini. This finding further reinforces the idea that the Burmese paleofauna of ommatid beetles was much more diverse and abundant than previously thought.     

New Stigmaphronidae and Megaspilidae (Hymenoptera: Ceraphronoidea) from Canadian Cretaceous amber

Three new species within the stigmaphronid genus Tagsmiphron Engel and Grimaldi, 2009, and one new species within the megaspilid genus Conostigmus Dahlbom, 1858 are described from Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) amber originating at the Grassy Lake locality in Alberta, Canada. New taxa include Tagsmiphron spiculum sp. nov., Tagsmiphron leucki sp. nov., Tagsmiphron exitorum sp. nov., and Conostigmus cavannus sp. nov. The new Conostigmus species is a rare discovery. It is the third megaspilid species to be found in Cretaceous amber, with the two specimens described herein effectively doubling the number of known Mesozoic exemplars for the family. We provide the first comprehensive report of known Ceraphronoidea within Canadian amber, and contrast this against other Cretaceous amber assemblages, discussing the potential palaeobiogeographic and palaeoenvironmental implications of the Canadian amber assemblage.     

Fossil coniferous wood from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota in western Liaoning,NE China: New material and palaeoclimate implications

The Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota, one of the most important Mesozoic lagerstätten in East Asia, is especially well-known for occurrences of fossil feathered dinosaurs and early angiosperms. However, the terrestrial biodiversity, especially the fossil wood record, is poorly known. In this study, several structurally preserved coniferous wood specimens from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation are investigated, based on collections from the Heichengzi Basin in Beipiao of western Liaoning, Northeast China. Four species referred to four genera of fossil wood are described, including Taxodioxylon heichengziense sp. nov., Thujoxylon beipiaoense sp. nov., Sciadopityoxylon liaoningense Ding and Protocedroxylon shengjinbeigouense sp. nov. These new records enlarge the fossil wood diversity of the Yixian Formation up to 10 species in 9 genera, and provide further insights into the forest vegetation composition of the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota. Systematic analysis of the floral constitution indicates that the petrified forests of the Yixian Formation are dominated by conifers, represented by Araucariaceae, Podocarpaceae, Sciadopityaceae, Pinaceae and Cupressaceae in the western Liaoning region. Palaeoclimatical analysis of the fossil wood assemblage implies that the western Liaoning region was dominated by a cool temperate, wet and seasonal climate with variable interannual water supply in the western Liaoning region during the Early Cretaceous.     

A new species of Baikuris (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Sphecomyrminae) in mid-Cretaceous amber from France

A new species of the extinct ant genus Baikuris Dlussky, 1987 (Formicidae: Sphecomyrminae) is described and figured from a male preserved in a piece of ∼100 Myr amber from Charentes, in southwestern France. Baikuris maximus sp. nov., is distinguished from other species notably by its larger size, its forewing with vein 2M+Cu absent and vein 3Cu tubular, and the presence of a subpetiolar process. The diagnosis of the genus is emended, and its distribution during the Cretaceous is briefly discussed.