The Tenebrionoidea is among the most diverse group of beetles, but its fossil record is rare. A definitive oldest tenebrionoid beetle, Wuhua jurassica new genus new species, is described from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, China. It is tentatively placed as Family incertae sedis, and distinguished from others of Tenebrionoidea by the unusual combination of following characters: body convex; head strongly deflexed, not received into prothorax; antennae filiform; pygidium absent; tarsi simple and tarsal claws pectinate. This discovery extends the time of origin of Tenebrionoidea to the Middle Jurassic. Furthermore, the record of Mesozoic tenebrionoid beetles are summarized and discussed.
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Journal of Paleontology
Vol. 85 • No. 2
March 2011
Vol. 85 • No. 2
March 2011
beetles
China
Jurassic
Tenebrionoidea
