The Oldest Fossils From China Provide the Most Direct Evidence for the Ancestral State of Fossula Spongiosa and Stridulitrum of Reduviidae

This study describes a new genus Simplicivenius gen. nov. of Reduviinae with two species, tuberculosus sp. and rectidorsius from the Yixian Formation in northeastern China. The diagnosis includes width scutellum about 2/3 pronotum absence longitudinal veins around exterior cell membrane. is oldest fossil record indeed Reduviidae at present, dating back to Early Cretaceous. implies that existed before Late Cretaceous biological mass extinction, hinting may be basal taxon within Higher Reduviidae. Moreover, fossils prove correctness previous speculations on ancestral state stridulitrum fossula spongiosa assassin bugs. mid leg fore are subequal size both occupy 1/3 tibia considered primitive type spongiosa.