The first scarabaeid beetle (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Melolonthinae) described from the Mesozoic (Late-Cretaceous) of Africa

Abstract

A full description is given of the first scarabaeid beetle documented from the Mesozoic (Late Cretaceous) of Africa (Orapa, Botswana). Brief and partial descriptions of this beetle have appeared in two previous review papers of fossils from the Orapa Diamond Mine. This work represents an updated analysis and interpretation of the fossil based on character comparison and phylogenetic analysis. The new genus and species, Ceafornotensis archratiras, are described in Melolonthinae incertae sedis. Phylogenetic analysis suggests a sister group relationship with the tribe Phaenognathini (Melolonthinae incertae sedis). Although phytophagy in the adult beetle cannot be confirmed, it is proposed that angiosperms could have contributed to a proportion of its diet (larval or adult). This beetle may belong to a stem lineage of pleurostict scarabaeids which later experienced major radiation in response to widespread environmental changes brought about by continuing radiation of the angiosperms.

On the phylogenetic position and systematics of extant and fossil Aclopinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

“…The most remarkable difference in the trees is the position of the genus Phanaeognatha outside of the remaining genera of extant Aclopinae, as sister to Ceafornotensis Woolley and Prophaenognatha . This finding is similar to the analysis of Woolley (), which supported Phanaeognatha + Prophaenognatha (Melolonthinae). Yet, Ceafornotensis + Prophaenognatha are sister to the Ochodaeidae in the matrix B tree.…”

“…The most remarkable difference in the trees is the position of the genus Phanaeognatha outside of the remaining genera of extant Aclopinae, as sister to Ceafornotensis Woolley and Prophaenognatha. This finding is similar to the analysis of Woolley (2016) (0 2 ), antennal club loose (i.e. lamellae distinct) (9 0 ), antennal club not or slightly flattened (10 0 ), apex of galea without heavily sclerotized teeth or hooks (17 0 ), posterior angles of pronotum absent or broadly rounded (26 0 ), ventral portion of prothorax on each side with a notosternal suture only (33 0 ), mesocoxal cavities contiguous at middle (40 0 ), and hindwing veins RP 3 + 4 reduced (49 1 ).…”

“…Ceafornotensis Woolley, Type species : Ceafornotensis archratiras Woolley, [Late Cretaceous; Turonian, Orapa epiclastic kimberlite, Botswana] …”

“…Our phylogenetic analysis was based on 68 morphological characters originally employed by Bai et al (), which have also been used in subsequent works (Bai et al , ; Woolley, ); the complete character list, their respective states, and illustrations are provided in Bai et al (, ). It is necessary to point out that the data matrix created by Bai et al () was intended to include most of the characters available in the fossils, thus avoiding the inflation of missing data in fossils for a matrix built on extant taxa.…”

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

“…Orapa is the only major insect deposit from the Cretaceous in Africa (Grimaldi and Engel 2005). The palaeofauna of the Orapa deposit has been reviewed (McKay and Rayner 1986;Rayner and McKay 1986;Rayner 1987;Rayner andWaters 1989, 1990;Waters , 1990McKay 1990McKay , 1991Brothers 1992;Rayner 1993;Rayner et al 1991Rayner et al , 1994Rayner et al , 1997Kuschel et al 1994;Brothers andRasnitsyn 2003, 2008;Dlussky et al 2004;Brothers 2007, 2009;Kopylov et al 2010;Woolley 2016;Mnguni 2022;.…”