Micromalthidae
Template:Short description Template:Automatic taxobox
Micromalthidae is an ancient family of small beetles belonging to the suborder Archostemata. The only known living representative is the telephone-pole beetle, Micromalthus debilis. A few extinct species have been described,[1] the oldest being the Late Permian Archaeomalthus synoriacos.[2] It is one of the oldest families of beetles still existing today.[1]
Micromalthus debilis is remarkable for its paedogenetic reproductive strategy which is almost unique in the animal kingdom, with the partial exception of Loricifera,[3] and that could have already evolved in prehistoric Micromalthidae.[4][2]
Micromalthidae is one of the first groups of beetles to evolve shortened elytra, along with Gyrinidae.[5]
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".