Abstract
Based on a single well-preserved specimen from Eocene Baltic amber, Lilioceris groehni sp. n. is described and illustrated using phase-contrast X-ray microtomography. It is the first described species of Criocerinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from Baltic amber. A check-list of fossil Criocerinae is provided. Placement of Crioceris pristiana (Germar, 1813) is discussed, this species is removed from Criocerinae and placed in Coleoptera incertae sedis.
Highlights
The subfamily Criocerinae contains ca. 1500 extant species (Schmitt 1996) in 20 genera (Seeno and Wilcox 1982), of which 211 species in 6 genera are recorded from the Palaearctic region (Schmitt 2010)
Body, and elytra of Lilioceris groehni sp. n. appear unicolorous black and similar to the extant species L. hitam Mohamedsaid, 1990 from Borneo, which differs from the new species in (1) the shape of the pronotum, (2) metaventrite glabrous in the middle, (3) pubescent scutellum, (4) impunctate elytra, (5) vertex with sparse pubescence, (6) a distinct conical neck between head and pronotum, and (7) a larger body (10 mm)
This new species is named after Carsten Gröhn (Glinde, Germany) – he enabled us to study this specimen
Summary
The subfamily Criocerinae (shining leaf beetles) contains ca. 1500 extant species (Schmitt 1996) in 20 genera (Seeno and Wilcox 1982), of which 211 species in 6 genera are recorded from the Palaearctic region (Schmitt 2010). Two fossil species from Baltic amber were mistakenly described within Criocerinae. According to modern classification (Staines 2012), it is placed in Gonophorini Chapuis, 1875 within Cassidinae Another species, Crioceris pristina (Germar, 1813) originally described as Criocerina (Germar 1813) was mentioned within Criocerinae Were mentioned from Eocene Baltic amber without detailed species descriptions (Hope 1836; Giebel 1856; Menge 1856; Scudder 1885, 1886, 1891; Handlirsch 1908; Klebs 1910; Bachofen-Echt 1949; Larsson 1978; Spahr 1981; Santiago-Blay 1994; Poinar 1999). The first extinct species of Criocerinae from Baltic amber is described, figured, and compared with extant species using phase-contrast X-ray microtomography
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
