X-ray micro-computed tomography reveals a unique morphology in a new click-beetle (Coleoptera, Elateridae) from the Eocene Baltic amber

• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76908-3
• Publication Date: 2020-11-19T11:03:51Z
• Authors: Robin Kundrata; Andris Bukejs; Alexander S. Pros...; Johana Hoffmannova
• Keywords: Baltic amber; Lineage (genetic); Subfamily; Morphology

Beetle fossils are a rich source of information about the palaeodiversity and evolutionary history order Coleoptera. Despite increasing rate fossil research on click-beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae), most diverse group in superfamily Elateroidea, their record has remained largely unstudied. This may be caused by combination rather uniform external morphology suboptimal state preservation visibility specimens. Here, we used X-ray micro-computed tomography to reconstruct an interesting click-beetle from Eocene Baltic amber, which had some principal diagnostic characters obscured opaque bubbles body position. Our results suggest that newly described Baltelater bipectinatus gen. et sp. nov. belongs tribe Protelaterini within subfamily Lissominae. Since have predominantly Gondwanan distribution, our discovery is great importance for historical biogeography group. Very distinctive bipectinate antennae with 11 antennomeres rami beginning antennomere IV, not found any recent Elateridae. The new lineage European amber sheds further light diversification family as well composition extinct forest ecosystem.