The first fossil longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from Australia

Lachlan J Hart; Adam Ślipiński; Michael Frese; Tara Djokic; Matthew R McCurry

doi:10.1007/s00114-024-01954-0

The first fossil longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from Australia

Naturwissenschaften. 2024 Dec 16;112(1):2. doi: 10.1007/s00114-024-01954-0.

Authors

Lachlan J Hart^{1

2}, Adam Ślipiński³, Michael Frese^{4

5

6}, Tara Djokic^{4

7}, Matthew R McCurry^{4

7}

Affiliations

¹ Australian Museum Research Institute, 1 William Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 2010, Australia. [email protected].
² Earth and Sustainability Science Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES), University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, 2052, Australia. [email protected].
³ Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia.
⁴ Australian Museum Research Institute, 1 William Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 2010, Australia.
⁵ Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia.
⁶ Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Health and Biosecurity, Black Mountain, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia.
⁷ Earth and Sustainability Science Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES), University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, 2052, Australia.

PMID: 39680141
DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01954-0

Abstract

Longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae) are globally distributed insects with important ecological roles. Here we present the first discovery of fossil longhorn beetles from Australia. The two new taxa described, Ventiala beattiei gen. et sp. nov. and Ferrucornus gulgongensis gen. et sp. nov. are from McGraths Flat, New South Wales, a finely-layered (laminated) fossiliferous goethite deposit dated to the Miocene (11-16 million years ago). One specimen hosts a nematode, providing rare insight into ancient species interactions. These findings enhance our understanding of Miocene mesic ecosystems and underscore the importance of McGraths Flat as a crucial site for studying the evolutionary history of Australia's terrestrial arthropod biodiversity.

Keywords: Australia; Cerambycidae; Longhorn beetle; McGraths Flat; Miocene; Nematode.

MeSH terms

Animals
Australia
Coleoptera* / anatomy & histology
Coleoptera* / classification
Coleoptera* / physiology
Fossils*
New South Wales