TRANSFORMING PALAEO- TO BIOSYSTEMATICS IN A CRETACEOUS ARCHAIC BEETLE (COLEOPTERA: ARCHOSTEMATA)
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Abstract:
The aedeagus is reported from the first cupedine beetle to be described from Burmese amber, Mallecupes qingqingae Jar-zembowski, Wang and Zheng, 2017; its palaeo- and neoentomological significance is discussed. Beetles are the most diverse group of living organisms and the male genitalia have proved important in their detailed classification for over one hundred years. These small, delicate structures are not normally available to palaeontologists but are now being found exceptionally preserved in Mesozoic amber providing greater insight than was previously possible.