Peltocoleops Ponomarenko, 1990

Kolibac, Jiri, 2013, Trogossitidae: A review of the beetle family, with a catalogue and keys, ZooKeys 366, pp. 1-194 : 138

† Genus Peltocoleops Ponomarenko, 1990

Cleroidea Ponomarenko, A. G. 1990: 73 ().

Type species.

Peltocoleops onokhojensis Ponomarenko, 1990 (by monotypy and original designation)

Kolibáč, J. 2006: 129 ( Lophocaterini ). Ponomarenko, A. G. & Kireichuk, A. G. 2005-2008: http://www.zin.ru/animalia/Coleoptera/rus/paleosy2.htm ( Peltidae ). Schmied, H. et al. 2009: 25 ( Trogossitidae : Peltinae )

Remarks.

The genus was established in Cleroidea , with no indication of an exact family classification ( Ponomarenko 1990). Later, Ponomarenko and Kireichuk (2005-2008) listed it in Peltidae . I classified Peltocoleops onokhojensis within Lophocaterini but this opinion has to be revised here because it was based on mistranslation of antennal characteristics. The symmetrical club (not "weakly asymmetrical"), widely separated mesocoxae and obliquely situated metacoxae ( Ponomarenko 1990: p. 73, 74; fig. 70b) exclude classification of the beetle within Cleroidea . It is therefore listed as Coleoptera incertae sedis herein.

Original diagnosis of the genus

(translation from Russian). " Medium sized, oval, flat beetle. Head short, gular sutures divergent backwards [sic], antennae long with indistinct symmetrical club. Pronotum wide and short, its base not narrower than elytra, front coxae large, transverse, not projecting, with exposed trochantin, prosternal process extending behind coxae, very slightly widened. Middle coxal cavities closed by mesepimeron. Middle coxal cavities large, rounded, with exposed trochantin. Metathorax transverse, weakly convex along join of legs [sic], hind trochantins [sic] oblique. Abdomen with 5 visible sternites, their bases bordered (?). Legs relatively long, outer side of middle tibiae with row of firm spines. "

Original description of the species

(translation from Russian). " Head twice shorter than wide, tempora shorter than eyes, gula shorter than wide. Antennomere 6 reaches backwards base [sic] of pronotum. Pronotum evenly rounded anteriorly, 2.5 times shorter than wide, anterior margin straight, about twice narrower than basal margin. Prothorax short, shorter than front coxae, prosternal process distinctly runs behind coxae. Middle coxae relatively widely separated. Metathorax about 2.5 times shorter than wide along its basal margin. Hind coxa is longest along middle of body and 3.5 times shorter than wide [sic], coxae distinctly shortened at lateral end. The first and the last abdominal sternites conspicuously longer than others. Elytra widest at basal portion, glabrous. Middle femora scarcely project out of body outline, tibiae widened, with longitudinal sulcus with row of firm spines (or setae) along outer side, tibiae longer than femora. " " Length 7.2, width 4.1, length of elytra 5.2 mm. "

Distribution.

Russia: Transbaikalia, Onokhovo, Onokhovsky Graben, Baleysky distr., Chitinskaya obl.; Mesozoic: Early Cretaceous, Lower Neocomian, Leskovskaya Beds.

Species:

† Peltocoleops onokhojensis Ponomarenko, 1990; Russia: Transbaikalia; Early Cretaceous, Lower Neocomian (varA)

Ponomarenko, A. G. 1990: 73. Ponomarenko, A. G. & Kireichuk, A. G. 2005-2008: http://www.zin.ru/animalia/Coleoptera/rus/paleosy2.htm. Schmied, H. et al. 2009: 26