Mastigocoleidae fam. nov., a New Mesozoic Beetle Family and the Early Evolution of Dryopoidea (Coleoptera)

Abstract With some 3,700 described species, Dryopoidea are a moderately diverse superfamily of beetles whose position within basal Polyphaga has been historically difficult to elucidate. Members most extant dryopoid families set apart from the majority other polyphagans by their association with aquatic habitats, but little is known about origin these derived life habits and phylogeny superfamily. Here we describe Mastigocoleidae Tihelka, Jäch, Kundrata & Cai fam. nov., new family Mesozoic dryopoids represented fossils Cretaceous Yixian Formation in northeastern China (undescribed species; ~125 Ma), Crato Brazil (Mastigocoleus rhinoceros Tihelka gen. et sp. nov.; ~113 amber northern Myanmar resinicola nov. Cretaceocoleus saetosus ~99 Ma). Integrating findings recent molecular morphological phylogenetic analyses, recover as an early-diverging clade sister Lutrochidae Dryopidae, or less likely group putative stem-dryopoids. distinctly separated all whip-like antennae, 11 antennomeres, reaching pronotal base, scape broadest longest, short pedicel, antennomeres II–XI more distinctively gradually tapering toward apex. indicate that last common ancestor was terrestrial adult stage, document character acquisitions associated specialization for life.