Burmomiles volpei, 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 : 334-336

Burmomiles volpei sp. nov.

( Fig. 2 )

Holotype. Male, adult specimen in a Burmese (Kachin) amber piece: Catalog number SNSB­BSPG 2021 XII 74 in the Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie (ex Müller’s collection number: BUB4027 ).

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

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

Differential diagnosis. Head rounded behind the eyes, short elytra that do not reach the last abdominal segments and which are equipped with punctuation gathered in striae, plus a pronotum rounded at the sides, make this new species belong to the genus Burmomiles ( Cantharidae ). Burmomiles volpei sp. nov. is very similar to Burmomiles willerslevorum Fanti, Damgaard & Ellenberger, 2018 , but it differs based on the slightly longer elytra, and by its pronotum less protruded at the sides and less protruded in the middle of the anterior margin (Fanti et al. 2018). Instead, Burmomiles blixenae Fanti & Damgaard, 2019 has a pronotum that is more bordered and shorter elytra with a different sculpture ( Fanti & Damgaard 2019).

Description. Adult, alate, rather robust. Male, for the shape of last sternite. Entirely dark brown. Body length: 3.5 mm.

Head rounded behind the eyes, partially covered by the pronotum, surface with sparce punctation. Eyes very prominent, rounded, inserted laterally to the head. Mandibles falciform. Maxillary palps 4­ segmented, with the last palpomere securiform. Labial palps 3­ segmented with the last palpomere securiform. Antennae 11­ segmented, pectinate, inserted in the frons, relatively long, surpassing the half of the elytra; scape club­shaped, not particularly robust, slightly enlarged apically; antennomere II very short, globular; antennomere III short, slightly longer than second, triangular­shaped; antennomeres IV–IX subequal, robust, swollen, over two times longer than antennomeres II–III together, each antennomere with a long process inserted near the base; antennomere X leaner than previous ones but subequal in length, with a long process near the base; antennomere XI elongate, sturdier, squadrate apically; all antennomeres with setae.Pronotum transverse, wider than head, anterior margin rounded and slightly bordered, posterior margin almost straight and bordered, sides rather curved, surface almost flat with pubescence. Scutellum triangular­shaped, elongated, with a subtruncate apex. Elytra wider than pronotum, robust, rounded at apex, not covering the last abdominal segment (and very slightly the penultimate), slightly wider at humeri, surface presenting a coarse and very wide punctation gathered in evident striae visible for the entire elytral length. Metathoracic wings slightly infuscate, longer than elytra. Sternum elongate and robust. Sternites transverse, last tergite as a caudal appendage which is relative short and rounded apically, last sternite narrower than last tergite. Legs long and slender with short and fitted pubescence; coxae short, robust; trochanters elongated with rounded apex; femora curved, sturdier than tibiae; tibiae thin, elongated, cylindrical, longer than femora, with a long spur at apex. Tarsal formula 5­ 5­ 5; first tarsomere elongated, about 1.4 times longer than second; second tarsomere elongated (pro­ and mesotarsomere triangular­shaped); third tarsomere triangular, shorter than previous one; fourth tarsomere lobated at corners; fifth tarsomere very elongated, thin, curved, slightly enlarged apically; claws simple, very long, apparently without tooth at the base (with the base not enlarged).

Etymology. Named in honor of Felice Volpe (Montella, Avellino, Italy), dear friend of the first author.

Syninclusions. Air bubbles, detritus.

Remarks. Piece of rounded, clear, golden amber that measures 12x12x 3 mm. To the inclusion lacks almost completely the legs of the right side.

Figures

Fig. 2. Burmomiles volpei sp. nov. in Burmese amber. A: Holotype, dorsal view; B: Holotype, ventral view.