Afrinophilina orapa: a new genus and species of Paederinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) from Cretaceous lacustrine deposits at Orapa Diamond Mine, Botswana.

Abstract

A new genus and species of a staphylinid beetle, Afrinophilina orapa gen. et sp. n., is described using a single well-preserved compression fossil from an Upper Cretaceous fossil insect deposit, the Orapa Diamond Mine in Botswana. Afrinophilina is placed in the extant subfamily Paederinae based on concealed antennal insertions, and hypomeron with a well-developed post-coxal process. It is placed among the Pinophilini based on an elongated procoxae (as long as the profemora), broad, oval, fully exposed trochantin, and a conspicuous second abdominal segment. The new species is placed in the Pinophilina, rather than the Procirrina, based on the presence of well-preserved pair of paratergites on segments III-VIII. Characters which may distinguish this new species from other Pinophilina include the lack of an emarginate shape of the rear margins of the elytra, broad neck, and having two pairs of paratergites on each side of segments III-VI. This is the earliest occurrence of a member of the Pinophilina. It is the first member of the Pinophilina from the Southern Hemisphere, particularly the African continent. Similarly, compared to other fossil staphylinids, the fossil also portrays morphological stasis dating back to the Cretaceous, thereby suggesting a punctuated equilibrium pattern of evolution.