Abstract
The first fossil nemonychid (Nemonychidae) in Burmese amber, belonging to the subfamily Rhinorhynchinae, is described and figured as Burmonyx zigrasi Davis & Engel, gen. n. and sp. n. While this specimen also comprises the first definitive record of the subfamily in the Asian continent, other compression fossils exist at least from the Yixian Formation of China and the Karatau site of Kazakhstan which may also deserve placement within this group. Although several important areas of the body are obscured by the shape and fragmented condition of the amber piece, a sufficient number of features are visible to consider adequate placement within Rhinorhynchinae, including the fairly strongly punctate elytral striae and appendiculate, nearly bifid pretarsal claws.
Highlights
The origin and evolution of weevils (Curculionoidea) remains one of the more interesting and challenging areas of systematic research among the Coleoptera (Grimaldi and Engel 2005)
Presence of scutellary strioles excludes a placement of Burmonyx in Caridae, Brentidae, and Curculionidae
As the dorsal area encompassing the elytral suture is somewhat difficult to observe, if the presence of strioles represents a misinterpretation of complete striae, a superficial resemblance to the group Mesophyletinae Poinar (2006) may be assumed primarily in the shape of the tarsomeres and divaricate bifid pretarsal claws
Summary
The origin and evolution of weevils (Curculionoidea) remains one of the more interesting and challenging areas of systematic research among the Coleoptera (Grimaldi and Engel 2005). Often familiarly known as pine cone weevils owing to their association with diet of pollen from pines and related gymnosperms, nemonychids primitively retain non-geniculate (orthocerous) antennae, lack pronotal lateral carinae (except apparently in the nemonychid subfamily Eobelinae), and have the abdominal ventrites separate (rather than partially fused or entirely connate). Given this critical phylogenetic position, it is understandable why nemonychids play a large role in narratives regarding the early order of weevils (e.g., Legalov 2010b, 2012; Oberprieler et al 2007). The description of the new genus and species represents the first nemonychid found in Burmese amber (Figs 1, 2), as well as the first record of the subfamily Rhinorhynchinae in Asia
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