Markus, Fanti & Pankowski, 2018

Fanti, Fabrizio & Pankowski, Michael J., 2018, A new fossil soldier beetle (Coleoptera, Cantharidae, Silinae) from Eocene Baltic amber, Zootaxa 4370 (2), pp. 189-193 : 190

Genus Markus FANTI & PANKOWSKI gen. nov.

Type Species. Markus karenae FANTI & PANKOWSKI sp. nov., by present designation. The genus is at present monotypic.

Diagnosis. The characteristics suggesting that the new taxon belongs to the subfamily Silinae include the long elytra covering the abdomen, antennae filiform 11-segmented, evident tibial spurs, unequal maxillary palpomeres with the last segment securiform, and a pronotum with modified lateral margins. Markus gen. nov. is characterized by a pronotum slightly longer than wide, narrowed posteriorly, sides not straight but slightly rounded, with a blunt and evident angle near the basal angle, anterior and posterior margins flat and with shallow punctation, lateral margin strongly granulose and in relief. The pronotum also has two irregular processes on each side, with the upper one wide at the base and equipped with a long pointed appendix, and the lower one that is very long and enlarged apically and flat, inserted almost on the lateral margins but seemingly branching from the beginning of the propleurs. It furthermore shows a rounded head, a narrow elytra that widens posteriorly from about the first third to the apex, and all anterior and median legs with inner claw equipped with a long and acute tooth at the base.

Etymology. Latinization of Mark. Genus named after Mark Pankowski of Rockville, Maryland, USA, father of one of the authors who encouraged his love of paleontology. The gender of the new genus is masculine.