Cretonthophilus, Caterino, Michael S., Wolf-Schwenninger, Karin & Bechly, Günter, 2015

Caterino, Michael S., Wolf-Schwenninger, Karin & Bechly, Günter, 2015, Cretonthophilus tuberculatus, a remarkable new genus and species of hister beetle (Coleoptera: Histeridae) from Cretaceous Burmese amber, Zootaxa 4052 (2), pp. 241-245 : 241-242

Cretonthophilus n. gen.

Type species. Cretonthophilus tuberculatus n. sp.

Diagnosis. This genus shares many superficial sculpturing characters with various extant genera of Onthophilinae , including the carinae of the frons, pronotum, and elytra. However, it differs substantially from any genus in the form and placement of the hypomeral antennal cavities, which are deeply excavate and extend posterad beyond the hypomeral midpoint. In all modern members of Onthophilinae the antennal cavities lie further forward, immediately under the anterolateral corners, and the antennae themselves curve laterad or up to 180 degrees such that the apex of the club is exposed anteriorly. Further, the distinct sutures separating the apical three antennomeres are not seen in any modern Onthophilinae , which all have the club completely fused, with at most annular series of setae marking former antennomere boundaries. The prolonged, apically emarginate prosternal lobe is unique in this group, and nearly in the family, although it does vary somewhat in various subordinate groups.

Etymology. The genus is named for its geological origin as well as its similarity to modern Onthophilus Leach.