Paralithomerus Chang, Zhang & Ren, 2008, gen. nov.

Abstract

Genus <i>Paralithomerus</i> gen. nov. <p> <b>Etymology</b>. Generic name derived from the combination of Latin prefix “ <i>para-</i> ” and “ <i>Lithomerus</i> ”, for the new genus has great similarities to <i>Lithomerus</i> Dolin (1980).</p> <p> <b>Type species</b>: <i>Paralithomerus exquisitus</i> <b>sp. nov</b>.</p> <p> <b>Species included</b>. <i>Paralithomerus exquisitus</i> sp. nov. and <i>Paralithomerus parallelus</i> sp. nov.</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis</b>. The new genus differs from all other closely related genera within the same family by the following features: Metaventrite with transverse sutures, but prosternum without longitudinal furrows.</p> <p> <b>Remarks</b>. The new genus can be assigned to the family Elateridae based on the following characters: (1) head with an exposed labrum; (2) prothorax with extended angles on the posterior corners; (3) with prosternal process and mesoventral cavity; (4) metacoxal plates well developed; and (5) abdomen with five ventrites.</p> <p> The species of this new genus greatly resemble species of the genus <i>Lithomerus</i> (Dolin, 1980), but differ from the latter by the following characters: (1) head subtriangular, convex, with an exposed labrum; (2) antennae short, filiform; (3) basal margin of pronotum bisinuate, with basal pleural furrows; (4) hind angles of pronotum with distinct short carina; (5) prosternum without longitudinal furrows; and (6) metacoxal plates obtusely long triangular, slender, narrowed laterally.</p>Published as part of <i>Chang, Huali, Zhang, Fan & Ren, Dong, 2008, A new genus and two new species of fossil Elaterids from the Yixian Formation of Western Liaoning, China (Coleoptera: Elateridae), pp. 54-62 in Zootaxa 1785</i> on page 55, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/182430">10.5281/zenodo.182430</a&gt