Paleosorius cambayensis Ortega-Blanco, Chatzimanolis, and Engel

Blanco, Jaime Ortega-, Chatzimanolis, Stylianos, Singh, Hukam & Engel, Michael S., 2013, The Oldest Fossil Of The Subfamily Osoriinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), From Eocene Cambay Amber (India), The Coleopterists Bulletin 67 (3), pp. 304-308 : 305-306

Paleosorius cambayensis Ortega-Blanco, Chatzimanolis, and Engel , new species ( Figs. 1–2 )

Diagnosis. As for the genus (vide supra).

Description. As for the genus, with the following additions: total body length 1.81 mm; head length 0.26 mm; pronotal length 0.33 mm; elytral length 0.37 mm; head prognathous, slightly longer than wide, as wide as pronotum, with postclypeus highly angled with respect to epicranium; dorsalmost corners of postclypeus with 2 reddish dots symmetrically placed between compound eyes, reddish dots clearly defined, symmetrical, slightly anterior to compound eyes (could correspond to tentorial pits but not flat or raised, perhaps taphonomically produced); compound eyes small, separated by distance equivalent to 3 times their diameter; apparently 1 elongate seta arising dorsally close to each compound eye; ocelli absent (though corresponding area damaged); anteroclypeus and mouthparts not clearly visible; antenna filiform, not clavate, with 11 antennomeres; antennal insertion lateral, anterior to compound eyes; antennomeres increasing in size progressively; antennomeres 9–11 distinctly longer and wider than previous antennomeres, 11 tapered. Pronotum elongate, with rimmed anterior border but no constricted edges; mesoscutellum obscured. Elytra with trace of epipleural ridge, deformed but about as long as pronotum and without distinct sculpture. Hind wings extended, slightly bent, without clearly visible venation, apparently without pterostigma (3 or 4 thin veins at most: C, R, M 4 +Cu, 2A) or discernible folding pattern (at least as preserved), and with moderately long setae on posterior edge. Coxae globose or sub-globose (definitely not elongate); femora arched, laterally moderately flattened, longitudinally striate; protibia without ctenidium; tarsi pentamerous, with short tarsomeres except distalmost tarsomere (5) which is almost as long as combined length of preceding tarsomeres; tarsal claws simple. Abdomen elongate, with 7 terga visible dorsally; each tergum approximately 2 times wider than long, except VII (almost as long as wide) and VIII; tergum VIII distinctly reduced and rounded, as long as wide.

Holotype. SEMC-F000134 ; Eocene ( Ypresian ) amber, Tadkeshwar mine (Surat dist., Cambay Basin) N21°13′26″ N, E73°04′32″, coll. M.S. Engel, 2011; to be deposited in the Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleobotany, Lucknow, India.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the Cambay Basin in Gujarat, India, where the amber bearing the specimen originated.

Figures

Fig. 1. Photomicrograph of holotype (SEMC-F000134) of Paleosorius cambayensis in Early Eocene (Ypresian) amber from Gujarat, India.

Fig. 2. Illustration of holotype (SEMC-F000134) of Paleosorius cambayensis in Early Eocene (Ypresian) amber from Gujarat, India.