Myxophaga
Myxophaga Temporal range:
| |
---|---|
Satonius kurosawai (Torridincolidae) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Suborder: | Myxophaga Crowson, 1955 |
Families | |
Lepiceridae Sphaeriusidae Torridincolidae † Triamyxidae
|
Myxophaga is the second-smallest suborder of the Coleoptera after Archostemata, consisting of roughly 65 species of small to minute beetles in four families. The members of this suborder are aquatic and semiaquatic, and feed on algae.
Description
Myxophaga have several diagnostic features: the antennae are more or less distinctly clubbed with usually fewer than nine segments, mesocoxal cavities are open laterally and bordered by a mesepimeron and metanepisternum, the hind wings are rolled apically in the resting positions. Internally, they are characterised by the presence of six malpighian tubules and the testes are tube-like and coiled.[1]
Beetles of this suborder are adapted to feed on algae. Their mouthparts are characteristic in lacking galeae and having a mobile tooth on their left mandible.[2]
Taxonomy
There are four extant families in the suborder Myxophaga divided between two superfamilies,[3] containing about 65 described species,[4] and at least one extinct family.[a]
Superfamily
- Family Lepiceridae Hinton, 1936
- Lepicerus Motschulsky, 1855
- †Lepiceratus Jałoszyński et al. 2020[5]
Superfamily Sphaeriusoidea Erichson, 1845
- Family Hydroscaphidae LeConte, 1874
- Hydroscapha LeConte, 1874
- Scaphydra Reichardt, 1973
- Yara Reichardt & Hinton, 1976
- Confossa Short, Joly, García & Maddison, 2015
- Family Sphaeriusidae Erichson, 1845
- Sphaerius Waltl, 1838
- Bezesporum Fikáček et al. 2022[6]
- †Burmasporum Kirejtshuk 2009[7]
- †Crowsonaerius Li & Cai in Li et al. 2023[8]
- Family Torridincolidae Steffan, 1964
- Claudiella Reichardt & Vanin, 1976
- Delevea Reichardt, 1976
- Iapir Py-Daniel, da Fonseca & Barbosa, 1993
- Incoltorrida Steffan, 1973
- Satonius Endrödy-Younga, 1997
- Torridincola Steffan, 1964
- Ytu Reichardt, 1973
Family †
Unplaced in family
- †Leehermania Chatzimanolis et al. 2012[5]
Distribution
Living members of Lepiceridae are confined to northern South America and Central America. Members of Sphaeriusidae occur on all continents except Antarctica, while Hydroscaphidae occurs on all continents except Australia and Antarctica. Torridincolidae occurs in Africa, Asia, and South America.[10]
Fossil record
The fossil record of myxophagan beetles is sparse, likely due to their small size limiting
Gallery
-
Specimen of Sphaerius minutus (Sphaeriusidae) in various views
-
Specimens of Hydroscapha natans (Hydroscaphidae)
-
Specimen of Lepicerus inaequalis (Lepiceridae)
See also
Notes
- ^ † Denotes that the group is extinct
References
- ISBN 3-11-017130-9.
- ^ Beutel & Leschen 2005, p. 43
- ^ "Myxophaga". Tree of Life Web Project. 2007. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
- .
- ^ S2CID 203407211.
- ^ S2CID 254440169.
- ^ a b Kirejtshuk, A. G. (2009). "A new genus and species of Sphaeriusidae (Coleoptera, Myxophaga) from Lower Cretaceous Burmese amber" (PDF). Denisia. 26: 99–102.
- ^ ISSN 2296-6463.
- ^ PMID 34197727.
- ISBN 978-0-12-804223-6, retrieved 2021-07-26
- S2CID 140170420.
- ^ Kirejtshuk, A. G.; Poinar, G. (2006). "Haplochelidae, a new family of cretaceous beetles (Coleoptera: Myxophaga) from Burmese amber". Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 108: 155–164.
- .
External links
- "Myxophaga". Atlas of Living Australia.
- Data related to Myxophaga at Wikispecies