Abstract
Abstract Scarabaeoidea are known from the Lower Jurassic and may have originated in the Triassic based on fossil evidence and phylogenetic research. However, the early diversification of Scarabaeoidea remains unclear due to the lack of high‐quality fossil evidence. Here we describe an exceptionally well‐preserved new fossil of Scarabaeoidea,Alloioscarabaeus chenigen.etsp. nov from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Inner Mongolia, China. Based on a morphometric analysis using 17 landmarks of the hind wing ofAlloioscarabaeusand 10 scarabaeoid families, we found thatAlloioscarabaeus chenigen.etsp. nov clearly does not belong to any of the known scarabaeoid families and, consequently, is a new family, Alloioscarabaeidae fam. nov., was erected. The discovery ofAlloioscarabaeusbrought further evidence for the early diversification of major scarab lineages which could allow more detail in the palaeobiogeography of the Scarabaeoidea and Northeast of China which might be one of the originating places or an important radiation place during the evolution of Scarabaeoidea. Alloioscarabaeidae were very likely not good diggers and might have fed on decaying organic materials. Based on the evidence we have now, we tend to believe that most families and some subfamilies of Scarabaeoidea were present in the Jurassic period.
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