Mathesius Kolibáč & Huang, 2011, gen. nov.
Creators: name: Kolibáč, Jiří
name: Huang, Di-Ying
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2011
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Nitidulidae
Mathesius

description: Mathesius gen. nov.
Type species: Mathesius liaoningensis sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Absence of metacoxal plates and large spines along apical portion of tibiae, structure of ventral part of metathorax (namely elongate metepimeron), free labrum, small metatrochanters, at least tarsomeres 2–3 with lobes, non-filiform antennae, probably trapezoidal radial cell, and cucujoid aedeagus are the most important distinctly visible characters which allow us to classify Mathesius gen. nov. within Polyphaga: Cucujiformia. A classification of Mathesius liaoningensis gen. et sp. nov. within Cleroidea, as a possible relative of the clerid/ thaneroclerid branches is based on predacious (probably unidentate) mandibles, narrowly separated pro- and mesocoxal cavities (Figs 18, 19), weakly transverse mesocoxae, metacoxae extending laterally to meet the elytra (Fig. 20, also compare Figs 27 vs. 28), presence of five tarsomeres in meso- and metatarsus, metatarsomeres 1–4 (at least 2–3) with lobes, six visible abdominal ventrites, cucujoid aedeagus with distinct medial apodeme and probably paired struts in phallobase (see the species description for details of three last characters). See the chapter “Classification” for more detailed explanation.
A similar shape and structure of the head and prothorax resemble the genera Nemozoma Latreille, Airora Serville and Corticotomus Sharp (Trogossitidae: Trogossitinae), but unidentate mandibles, tarsomeres with lobes, six visible abdominal ventrites, and non-clubbed antennae excludes a relation of the fossil with the trogossitid branch of Cleroidea. The mandibles with little denticles along their inner (cutting) edge somewhat resemble Rentonium chilense Crowson (figured by Kolibáč 2005: 149) of Trogossitidae: Peltinae—similar mandibles are not known among other trogossitids or cleroids.
In the thaneroclerid branch, a possible relationship of the fossil with Thanerocleridae could be supported by the shape of frontoclypeal suture, distinct clypeus, projecting corners in anterior margin of cranium (Fig. 17), spherical procoxal cavities separated by robust intercoxal process (Fig. 18), clavate femora with narrowed and projecting bases (Fig. 19), and pro-, meso- and metatarsal ratio approximately 4:5:6. Flat eyes and “incrassate” antennae are not known in about 25 described members of the family but occur, for example, in an undescribed species from New Guinea (Fig. 30). A structure of aedeagus of the recent thaneroclerids is distinctly different than that in the fossil and resembles rather aedeagus of Malachiidae (medial strut and paired lateral struts missing).
The fossil shares the row of fine spines along outer side of tibiae with Chaetosomatidae (absent in Thanerocleridae, Metaxinidae) and 6 visible abdominal ventrites with Metaxinidae (five ventrites in Chaetosomatidae and in all thaneroclerids excepting Viticlerus Miyatake with six ventrites).
The lobes in the tarsomeres 2–3 (and probably also 1, 4) is an important common apomorphy of the fossil and Cleridae. Six visible abdominal ventrites is an inclusive synapomorphy of Cleridae, also the tibiae with spines occur in some members of this family. Body shape, frons with anterior horns, head as wide as pronotum and other character of habitus are also known among Cleridae (e.g., Denops Fischer von Waldheim, Cylidrus Latreille), however, not with a distinct, emarginate frontoclypeal suture.
Systematic palaeontology. Cleroidea incertae sedis.
Etymology. This remarkable genus was named in honour of Bohumil Mathesius (1888–1952), a Czech poet and translator from German, Russian, Norwegian, Latin, and French. His paraphrases and translations of ancient Chinese poetry are, however, the most famous among his writing. They influenced several generations of Czech poets and introduced this enchanting poetics in the general consciousness.
The gender is masculine.
description: Published as part of Kolibáč, Jiří & Huang, Di-Ying, 2011, Mathesius liaoningensis gen. et sp. nov. of Jehol Biota, a presumptive relative of the clerid or thaneroclerid branches of Cleroidea (Coleoptera), pp. 1-17 in Zootaxa 2872 on page 4, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.204016