Elektrokleinia zahradniki, Fanti & Müller, 2022

Fanti, Fabrizio & Müller, Patrick, 2022, Fossil Cantharidae from the Cretaceous Burmese (Kachin) amber of the Patrick Müller collection, and taxonomic information, Baltic Journal of Coleopterology 22 (2), pp. 331-380 : 338-340

Elektrokleinia zahradniki sp. nov.

( Fig. 4 )

Holotype. Probable female, adult specimen in a Burmese (Kachin) amber piece: Catalog number SNSB­BSPG 2021 XII 18 in the Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie (ex Müller’s collection number: BUB4327 ).

Type locality. Myanmar: Kachin state, Myitkyina District, Hukawng Valley.

Type horizon. Lowermost Cenomanian (98.79 ± 0.62 Ma), mid­Cretaceous.

Differential diagnosis. Head restricted behind the eyes makes this new species belong to the genus Elektrokleinia and not to the similar genus Burmomiles , which has a head rounded behind the eyes. Elektrokleinia zahradniki sp. nov. is distinguishable from other Elektrokleinia by its last maxillary palpomere very elongated and not particularly securiform (strongly securiform in the already known species). It also differs by the antennomeral lengths and pronotal shape, and the sculpture of the elytra is less prominent and much smoother.

Description. Adult, alate, rather robust. Probable female, for the short antennae. Head and pronotum testaceous­brown, elytra dark brown, antennae and legs brown. Body length: 5.2 mm.

Head slightly transverse, rounded and narrower (restricted) behind the eyes, slightly convex dorsally, partially covered by the pronotum, surface smooth and pubescent equipped with short and not erected setae. Eyes little prominent, subelliptical, inserted laterally to the head. Mandibles elongated, falciform. Maxillary palps 4­ segmented, last palpomere very elongated and not particularly securiform with the external side convex. Labial palps 3­ segmented, with the last palpomere securiform, very curved and with pointed apex.Antennae 11­ segmented, filiform, inserted in frons and far to the eyes, short, reaching the humeral zone of elytra; scape elongated, slightly club­shaped; antennomere II about 1.3­ 1.4 times shorter than first; antennomeres III–X subequal, robust, enlarged and slightly longer than second antennomere; antennomere XI thinner than previous ones, with squared­irregular apex; all antennomeres with very short setae. Pronotum very slightly transverse, wider than head, anterior margin rounded and very slightly bordered, posterior margin straight and strongly bordered, sides irregular and slightly bordered and enlarged in the first basal third, surface flat without pubescence and with shallow punctaction. Scutellum triangular­shaped, elongated, with rounded apex. Elytra wider than pronotum, parallel­sided with humeral zone enlarged, rounded at apex, not covering the last abdominal segment, surface very slightly pubescent presenting small coarse punctation gathered in striae little noticeable. Metathoracic wings covered by elytra. Sternum subquadrate. Sternites transverse. Legs rather robust, short; coxae short, robust; trochanters elongated with rounded apex; femora almost straight and flat; tibiae thin, elongate, cylindrical and slightly enlarged at the apex, protibiae shorter than profemora, mesotibiae nearly as long as mesofemora, metatibiae longer than metafemora. Tarsal formula 5­ 5­ 5; first tarsomere elongated; second tarsomere slightly shorter than first; third tarsomere triangular­shaped, fourth tarsomere strongly bilobed with the lobes very elongated; fifth tarsomere elongate, thin, curved; claws simple apparently without tooth at the base.

Etymology. Named in honor of Petr Zahradník ( Czech Republic), a well­known specialist of the family Ptinidae .

Syninclusions. Air bubbles, detritus, little ant beetle.

Remarks. Piece of clear, golden amber that measures 17x10x 8 mm. The inclusion is complete. The ventral part is little visible and part of the abdomen is covered by emulsion like white­cotton.

Figures

Fig. 4. Elektrokleinia zahradniki sp. nov. in Burmese amber. A: Holotype, dorso­lateral view; B: Holotype, dorsal view.