Cretoathous gen. nov., a New Click Beetle (Coleoptera: Elateridae: Dendrometrinae) from Mid-Cretaceous Burmese Amber

In this study, we describe a new elaterid genus and species, Cretoathous serratus Zhao, Ślipiński & Wang gen. et sp. nov., from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. Based on the presence of a prominently prognathous and flattened dorso-ventrally head, a complete frontal carina, an arcuate prosternum lobe, and mesocoxal cavities open to the mesanepisternum and mesepimeron. This new genus is classified within the subfamily Dendrometrinae. The new genus can be identified by the following characteristics: a complete frontal carina; an arcuate prosternum lobe; antennomere 11 fusiform, acute at the apex; and elytra about twice as long as pronotum with serrate anterolateral margins. This addition increases the total number of fossil genera in the Burmese amber elaterids to ten. The morphological characteristics demonstrate significant diversity among the genera of burmite elaterids providing valuable insights into the diversity and evolution of this interesting group of beetles.