Discovery of three new mordellids (Coleoptera, Tenebrionoidea) from the Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China

In this paper one new genus and three new species Bellimordella capitulifera gen. et sp. nov., B. longispina gen. et sp. nov., B. robusta gen. et sp. nov., all placed within the subfamily Praemordellinae of the family Mordellidae, are described and illustrated. The specimens were recovered from the Yixian Formation of Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, NE China. The key to the species of this new genus is given. Furthermore, we discuss evolution of the pygidium and possible food for those ancient mordellids.     

A new tribe,new genus,and new species of Mordellidae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea) from the Early Cretaceous amber of Spain

The new tribe Mediumiugamiini (Coleoptera: Polyphaga: Tenebrionoidea: Mordellidae) is described based on Mediumiuga sinespinis gen. et sp. nov. It is a fossil beetle from Albian (Early Cretaceous) amber from the Peñacerrada I outcrop (Spain). It is the first Spanish beetle described in amber. The mesotibiae and mesotarsi bearing multiple dorsal–lateral ridges, running oblique, metatibiae without any dorsal or dorsal–lateral ridge, only showing a subapical ridge, and metatibiae without apical spurs, define the new tribe. A key for worldwide tribes of Mordellinae, including Mediumiugamiini, is provided. Evolution of some characters of Mordellidae along Cretaceous is discussed.