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Issue: Vol. 77 No. 1: 31 Dec. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-12-31
DOI: 10.12976/jib/2025.77.1.5
Page range: 18-27
Abstract views: 45
PDF downloaded: 30

Apriacma acoronata sp. nov., a new cupedid beetle (Coleoptera: Archostemata) from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of North China

Regional Geological Survey Institute of Hebei Province, Langfang 065000, China
Regional Geological Survey Institute of Hebei Province, Langfang 065000, China
Regional Geological Survey Institute of Hebei Province, Langfang 065000, China
Regional Geological Survey Institute of Hebei Province, Langfang 065000, China
Regional Geological Survey Institute of Hebei Province, Langfang 065000, China
State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Regional Geological Survey Institute of Hebei Province, Langfang 065000, China
Regional Geological Survey Institute of Hebei Province, Langfang 065000, China
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
Insect fossil Beetle Jehol Biota Xilongtou Basin XRF

Abstract

Cupedidae is the most species-rich family within the extinct beetle suborder Archostemata, noted for its abundance, diversity, and broad geographic distribution in the Mesozoic. Although archostematans are relatively common in the Jehol Biota of northeastern China, most records to date have been recovered from the Yixian Formation. In this study, we report a new cupedid beetle fossil from the Jiufotang Formation. The new species, Apriacma acoronata sp. nov., is characterized by an elongate body; long antennae with the pedicel distinctly shorter than the other antennomeres; large, flattened mandibles; a subrectangular prothorax slightly wider than the head, with gently curved lateral margins and lacking anterior corners; and distinctly stout profemora. This discovery constitutes the first record of Archostemata from the Jiufotang Formation, extending the stratigraphic and geographic distribution of cupedid beetles within the Jehol Biota, and contributes to our understanding of archostematan persistence and diversity in Early Cretaceous lacustrine ecosystems.

 

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