Discolomopsis, a new genus of Endomychidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea), is described and illustrated based on a fossil endomychid embedded in amber resin from the Dominican Republic. Discolomopsis dominicana sp. nov. is designated as the type species for the genus

Shockley, Floyd W.

English

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University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Insecta Mundi Center for Systematic Entomology, Gainesville, Florida September 2006 Discolomopsis dominicana, a new genus and species of Endomychidae (Coleoptera) from Dominican amber Floyd W. Shockley University of Georgia Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/insectamundi  Part of the Entomology Commons Shockley, Floyd W., "Discolomopsis dominicana, a new genus and species of Endomychidae (Coleoptera) from Dominican amber" (2006). Insecta Mundi. 111. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/insectamundi/111 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Center for Systematic Entomology, Gainesville, Florida at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Insecta Mundi by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 211INSECTA MUNDI, Vol. 20, No. 3-4, September-December, 2006IntroductionStrohecker (1953) listed six species in three sub-families of Endomychidae that have been describedfrom amber. All were embedded in Baltic amber andshared at least one morphological synapomorphylinking them to the extant fauna, making it possibleto assign them to recognizable subfamilies.  Themajority of fossil endomychids have been placed inextant genera in the subfamily Lycoperdininae (for-merly Eumorphinae).Dominican amber forms as the result of harden-ing of the resin of Hymenaea protera Poinar (Legumi-nosae:  Caesalpinioideae), a tree found in the WestIndies.  Inclusions in Dominican amber are wellknown to be much better preserved and not suffer theproblems with compression typical of inclusions inother New World ambers (Grimaldi and Engel, 2005).The exact age of this amber is unknown, but it hasbeen estimated that most Dominican amber datesback to the mid-Miocene, approximately 15-20 millionyears ago (Iturralde-Vicent and MacPhee, 1996).Discolomopsis Shockley, new genusFigs 1-3Description.  Antennae, body, and legs dark reddishbrown.Head: Slightly deflexed; moderately punctate;surface between punctures smooth; fronto-clypealsuture distinct; clypeus transverse, emarginate me-dially along anterior margin; labrum rectangular,anterior margin weakly rounded. Thorax: Trans-verse and covered with long yellowish setae; lateralmargins widely flattened and slightly reflexed; widestat middle; lateral sulci reduced to punctiform foveae;basal sulcus lacking; scutellum relatively large,strongly transverse, lacking conspicuous puncturesand vestiture. Elytron: Shape convex, subglobose,vestiture long and yellowish in color; lateral marginswidely explanate; disc regularly and moderately punc-tate; humeri elevated. Legs: Procoxa and mesocoxaerounded; metacoxa transverse; tarsomeres simple, 3-segmented, bearing small tuft of setae ventrally,narrowly extended underneath; pretarsus appendicu-late. Abdomen: Sterna apparently connate.Etymology. Derived from the combination of theterms Discolom- + the Greek suffix -opsis, mean-ing similar in appearance.  The generic name isbased on the overall similarity of this genus to mem-bers of the family Discolomatidae, most notably thebroad, flattened lateral margins of the pronotum andelytra.Type Species. Discolomopsis dominicana, new spe-cies.Remarks. This genus shares features with taxafrom several different subfamilies of Endomychidaebut is unique in its combination of these features.  Inbody size and shape and overall vestiture, Discolo-mopsis is consistent with genera in the subfamilyAnamorphinae and is therefore referred to that sub-family.  However, its morphology is distinct from anyDiscolomopsis dominicana, a new genus and speciesof Endomychidae (Coleoptera) from Dominican amberFloyd W. ShockleyDepartment of Entomology413 Biological Sciences BuildingUniversity of GeorgiaAthens, GA 30602-2603  USAAbstract. Discolomopsis, a new genus of Endomychidae (Coleoptera:  Cucujoidea), is described and illustratedbased on a fossil endomychid embedded in amber resin from the Dominican Republic. Discolomopsis dominicanasp. nov.  is designated as the type species for the genus.Key Words. Entomology, taxonomy, new genus, new species, Cucujoidea, fossil Endomychidae212 Volume 20, No. 3-4, September-December, 2006, INSECTA MUNDIextant genera.  The deeply emarginated and lobedclypeus, presence of long yellowish setae on all bodysegments, and the wide flattened margins on thepronotum and elytra combine to readily distinguishDiscolomopsis from all other Endomychidae.Discolomopsis dominicana Shockley,new speciesFigs. 1-3Description. Holotype (female). Body broadly oval,moderately convex; length 2.6 mm; width 1.9 mm.Dorsum shining, dark reddish-brown with long re-curved setae; antennae, palpi, and legs reddish-brown.Head: Slightly deflexed; with sparse vestiture of shortsetae; moderately punctate; surface between punc-tures smooth; eyes large and rather coarsely faceted;fronto-clypeal suture distinct; frons finely punctate;clypeus transverse and emarginate-lobate apically;labrum transverse, anterior margin weakly rounded;maxillary palpi long and slender, 4-segmented, termi-nal palpomere as long as preceding 3 antennomerescombined; antenna 11-segmented and densely setose,basal segment apically expanded, antennomeres II-VII beadlike, club 3-segmented. Thorax: Transverseand covered with long yellowish setae; pronotal discstrongly convex; lateral margins widely flattened andslightly reflexed; widest at middle; anterior anglesstrongly produced; posterior angles right-angled; lat-eral sulci reduced to punctiform foveae; basal sulcuslacking; scutellum relatively large, strongly trans-verse, lacking conspicuous punctures and vestiture.Elytron: Broadly rounded, convex; vestiture longand yellowish in color; lateral margins widely explan-ate, widest at 1/3 of length from base; medial marginwith submarginal stria extending entire length; discregularly and moderately punctate; humeri elevated.Legs: Procoxa and mesocoxa rounded; metacoxa trans-verse; tarsi 3-segmented, tarsomeres simple, bearingsmall tuft of setae ventrally, narrowly extended un-derneath; pretarsus appendiculate, bearing a conspic-uous tooth basally.Material Examined. Holotype (female) from theDominican Republic, embedded in amber, age Mi-ocene; no excavation information was provided withthe specimen, but the age of the amber was providedand suggests its origin to most likely be the youngerdeposits in the Bayaguana area of the southeast partof the island; holotype deposited in the Florida StateCollection of Arthropods (FSCA).Etymology. So named because the holotype is em-bedded in Dominican amber.Remarks. The holotype is most likely female basedon the absence of modifications, ridges, or spines onthe legs, common features of males from similaranamorphine taxa. Genitalia are internal and ob-Figure 1. Holotype of Discolomopsis dominicana embeddedin amber. A) Dorsal view; B) Lateral view; C) Obliqueventral view. Scale bars = 0.7 mm.213INSECTA MUNDI, Vol. 20, No. 3-4, September-December, 2006scured in this specimen and are generally impossibleto differentiate in specimens embedded in amber. Theposition of the holotype within the amber is such thatthe specimen is partially transected anterolaterallyby one of the outer facets of the stone. Additionalpolishing to remove some of the surrounding amberwas avoided because of the specimens close proximityto the surface of the amber and its position along afractural plane.AcknowledgmentsI would like to thank R. Woodruff, ProfessorEmeritus, from the Florida State Collection of Arthro-pods, for bringing the specimen to my attention. Iwish to thank P.E. Skelley and J.V. McHugh forproviding comments on previous drafts of this manu-script. I also wish to thank J.V. McHugh for the useof microscopy and digital imaging equipment, as wellas providing partial funding support for the study anddescription of this specimen. This work was partiallyfunded by an NSF/PEET grant (DEB-0329115) to J.V.McHugh, M.F. Whiting, and K.B. Miller.ReferencesGrimaldi, D., and M. S. Engel. 2005. Evolution ofthe Insects. Cambridge University Press, NewYork. 755 p.Iturralde-Vicent, M.A. and R.D.E. MacPhee.1966.  Age and paleogeographical origin of Domin-ican amber. Science 273:  1850-1852.Strohecker, H.F.  1953.  Coleoptera.  Fam. Endomy-chidae. In:  P. Wytsman, ed.  Genera Insectorum.Fasc. 210.  L. Desmet-Verteneuil, Brussels, 140pp.Figure 2. Holotype of Discolomopsis dominicana embedded in amber.  A) Dorso-anterior view of the head; B) Dorsal view of headand pronotum; C) Dorsal view of medial elytral suture; D) Lateral view of the tarsi with claws.  Scale bars = 0.3 mm.214 Volume 20, No. 3-4, September-December, 2006, INSECTA MUNDIFigure 3. Line drawings of Discolomopsis dominicana. A) Dorsal habitus; B) Dorsal view of head; C) Close-up of left antenna; D)Ventral view of left prothoracic leg; E) Ventral view of left mesothoracic leg; F) Ventral view of right metathoracic leg.  Linein A-B marks the outer facet of the amber, which transects a portion of the fossil.

\u3ci\u3eDiscolomopsis dominicana\u3c/i\u3e, a new genus and species of Endomychidae (Coleoptera) from Dominican amber

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University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
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Insecta Mundi Center for Systematic Entomology, Gainesville, Florida 
September 2006 
Discolomopsis dominicana, a new genus and species of 
Endomychidae (Coleoptera) from Dominican amber 
Floyd W. Shockley 
University of Georgia 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/insectamundi 
 Part of the Entomology Commons 
Shockley, Floyd W., "Discolomopsis dominicana, a new genus and species of Endomychidae (Coleoptera) 
from Dominican amber" (2006). Insecta Mundi. 111. 
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/insectamundi/111 
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Center for Systematic Entomology, Gainesville, Florida 
at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Insecta Mundi by an 
authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 
211INSECTA MUNDI, Vol. 20, No. 3-4, September-December, 2006
Introduction
Strohecker (1953) listed six species in three sub-
families of Endomychidae that have been described
from amber. All were embedded in Baltic amber and
shared at least one morphological synapomorphy
linking them to the extant fauna, making it possible
to assign them to recognizable subfamilies.  The
majority of fossil endomychids have been placed in
extant genera in the subfamily Lycoperdininae (for-
merly Eumorphinae).
Dominican amber forms as the result of harden-
ing of the resin of Hymenaea protera Poinar (Legumi-
nosae:  Caesalpinioideae), a tree found in the West
Indies.  Inclusions in Dominican amber are well
known to be much better preserved and not suffer the
problems with compression typical of inclusions in
other New World ambers (Grimaldi and Engel, 2005).
The exact age of this amber is unknown, but it has
been estimated that most Dominican amber dates
back to the mid-Miocene, approximately 15-20 million
years ago (Iturralde-Vicent and MacPhee, 1996).
Discolomopsis Shockley, new genus
Figs 1-3
Description.  Antennae, body, and legs dark reddish
brown.Head: Slightly deflexed; moderately punctate;
surface between punctures smooth; fronto-clypeal
suture distinct; clypeus transverse, emarginate me-
dially along anterior margin; labrum rectangular,
anterior margin weakly rounded. Thorax: Trans-
verse and covered with long yellowish setae; lateral
margins widely flattened and slightly reflexed; widest
at middle; lateral sulci reduced to punctiform foveae;
basal sulcus lacking; scutellum relatively large,
strongly transverse, lacking conspicuous punctures
and vestiture. Elytron: Shape convex, subglobose,
vestiture long and yellowish in color; lateral margins
widely explanate; disc regularly and moderately punc-
tate; humeri elevated. Legs: Procoxa and mesocoxae
rounded; metacoxa transverse; tarsomeres simple, 3-
segmented, bearing small tuft of setae ventrally,
narrowly extended underneath; pretarsus appendicu-
late. Abdomen: Sterna apparently connate.
Etymology. Derived from the combination of the
terms Discolom- + the Greek suffix -opsis, mean-
ing similar in appearance.  The generic name is
based on the overall similarity of this genus to mem-
bers of the family Discolomatidae, most notably the
broad, flattened lateral margins of the pronotum and
elytra.
Type Species. Discolomopsis dominicana, new spe-
cies.
Remarks. This genus shares features with taxa
from several different subfamilies of Endomychidae
but is unique in its combination of these features.  In
body size and shape and overall vestiture, Discolo-
mopsis is consistent with genera in the subfamily
Anamorphinae and is therefore referred to that sub-
family.  However, its morphology is distinct from any
Discolomopsis dominicana, a new genus and species
of Endomychidae (Coleoptera) from Dominican amber
Floyd W. Shockley
Department of Entomology
413 Biological Sciences Building
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-2603  USA
Abstract. Discolomopsis, a new genus of Endomychidae (Coleoptera:  Cucujoidea), is described and illustrated
based on a fossil endomychid embedded in amber resin from the Dominican Republic. Discolomopsis dominicana
sp. nov.  is designated as the type species for the genus.
Key Words. Entomology, taxonomy, new genus, new species, Cucujoidea, fossil Endomychidae
212 Volume 20, No. 3-4, September-December, 2006, INSECTA MUNDI
extant genera.  The deeply emarginated and lobed
clypeus, presence of long yellowish setae on all body
segments, and the wide flattened margins on the
pronotum and elytra combine to readily distinguish
Discolomopsis from all other Endomychidae.
Discolomopsis dominicana Shockley,
new species
Figs. 1-3
Description. Holotype (female). Body broadly oval,
moderately convex; length 2.6 mm; width 1.9 mm.
Dorsum shining, dark reddish-brown with long re-
curved setae; antennae, palpi, and legs reddish-brown.
Head: Slightly deflexed; with sparse vestiture of short
setae; moderately punctate; surface between punc-
tures smooth; eyes large and rather coarsely faceted;
fronto-clypeal suture distinct; frons finely punctate;
clypeus transverse and emarginate-lobate apically;
labrum transverse, anterior margin weakly rounded;
maxillary palpi long and slender, 4-segmented, termi-
nal palpomere as long as preceding 3 antennomeres
combined; antenna 11-segmented and densely setose,
basal segment apically expanded, antennomeres II-
VII beadlike, club 3-segmented. Thorax: Transverse
and covered with long yellowish setae; pronotal disc
strongly convex; lateral margins widely flattened and
slightly reflexed; widest at middle; anterior angles
strongly produced; posterior angles right-angled; lat-
eral sulci reduced to punctiform foveae; basal sulcus
lacking; scutellum relatively large, strongly trans-
verse, lacking conspicuous punctures and vestiture.
Elytron: Broadly rounded, convex; vestiture long
and yellowish in color; lateral margins widely explan-
ate, widest at 1/3 of length from base; medial margin
with submarginal stria extending entire length; disc
regularly and moderately punctate; humeri elevated.
Legs: Procoxa and mesocoxa rounded; metacoxa trans-
verse; tarsi 3-segmented, tarsomeres simple, bearing
small tuft of setae ventrally, narrowly extended un-
derneath; pretarsus appendiculate, bearing a conspic-
uous tooth basally.
Material Examined. Holotype (female) from the
Dominican Republic, embedded in amber, age Mi-
ocene; no excavation information was provided with
the specimen, but the age of the amber was provided
and suggests its origin to most likely be the younger
deposits in the Bayaguana area of the southeast part
of the island; holotype deposited in the Florida State
Collection of Arthropods (FSCA).
Etymology. So named because the holotype is em-
bedded in Dominican amber.
Remarks. The holotype is most likely female based
on the absence of modifications, ridges, or spines on
the legs, common features of males from similar
anamorphine taxa. Genitalia are internal and ob-
Figure 1. Holotype of Discolomopsis dominicana embedded
in amber. A) Dorsal view; B) Lateral view; C) Oblique
ventral view. Scale bars = 0.7 mm.
213INSECTA MUNDI, Vol. 20, No. 3-4, September-December, 2006
scured in this specimen and are generally impossible
to differentiate in specimens embedded in amber. The
position of the holotype within the amber is such that
the specimen is partially transected anterolaterally
by one of the outer facets of the stone. Additional
polishing to remove some of the surrounding amber
was avoided because of the specimens close proximity
to the surface of the amber and its position along a
fractural plane.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank R. Woodruff, Professor
Emeritus, from the Florida State Collection of Arthro-
pods, for bringing the specimen to my attention. I
wish to thank P.E. Skelley and J.V. McHugh for
providing comments on previous drafts of this manu-
script. I also wish to thank J.V. McHugh for the use
of microscopy and digital imaging equipment, as well
as providing partial funding support for the study and
description of this specimen. This work was partially
funded by an NSF/PEET grant (DEB-0329115) to J.V.
McHugh, M.F. Whiting, and K.B. Miller
.
References
Grimaldi, D., and M. S. Engel. 2005. Evolution of
the Insects. Cambridge University Press, New
York. 755 p.
Iturralde-Vicent, M.A. and R.D.E. MacPhee.
1966.  Age and paleogeographical origin of Domin-
ican amber. Science 273:  1850-1852.
Strohecker, H.F.  1953.  Coleoptera.  Fam. Endomy-
chidae. In:  P. Wytsman, ed.  Genera Insectorum.
Fasc. 210.  L. Desmet-Verteneuil, Brussels, 140
pp.
Figure 2. Holotype of Discolomopsis dominicana embedded in amber.  A) Dorso-anterior view of the head; B) Dorsal view of head
and pronotum; C) Dorsal view of medial elytral suture; D) Lateral view of the tarsi with claws.  Scale bars = 0.3 mm.
214 Volume 20, No. 3-4, September-December, 2006, INSECTA MUNDI
Figure 3. Line drawings of Discolomopsis dominicana. A) Dorsal habitus; B) Dorsal view of head; C) Close-up of left antenna; D)
Ventral view of left prothoracic leg; E) Ventral view of left mesothoracic leg; F) Ventral view of right metathoracic leg.  Line
in A-B marks the outer facet of the amber, which transects a portion of the fossil.


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\u3ci\u3eDiscolomopsis dominicana\u3c/i\u3e, a new genus and species of Endomychidae (Coleoptera) from Dominican amber

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