Mesocoprophilus clavatus, a new oxyteline rove beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) from the Early Cretaceous of China

Abstract

Mesocoprophilus clavatus gen. et sp.n., a new rove beetle belonging to the Recent subfamily Oxytelinae, is described and illustrated on the basis of a well-preserved specimen from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation near Huangbanjigou, Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, Northeast China. This new genus can be placed in the extant tribe Coprophilini as supported by its general habitus, sub-contiguous mesocoxae, 5-segmented metatarsi, and abdominal segments III–VII each with two pairs of paratergites. In addition, it displays some features resembling the more basal tribe Euphaniini, including clavate antennae and short and poorly-sclerotized abdominal sternite II.