Andris Bukejs , Andrei A. Legalov

The first record of Rhynchitidae (Coleoptera) from Rovno amber

Introduction

The first record of rhynchitidae (coleoptera) from rovno amber. Discover Pseudomesauletes groehni sp. n., the first Rhynchitidae beetle recorded from Upper Eocene Rovno amber, Ukraine. This new fossil species provides crucial paleontological insights.

Abstract

Based on a well-preserved specimen, Pseudomesauletes groehni sp. n. is described and illustrated from Upper Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine). It is the first fossil record of Rhynchitidae from this Lagerstätte.

Review

This manuscript details the description of a new beetle species, *Pseudomesauletes groehni* sp. n., from Upper Eocene Rovno amber. The title and abstract clearly highlight the significance of this discovery: it represents the first documented fossil record of the family Rhynchitidae from this particular Lagerstätte. Based on the abstract, the specimen appears to be well-preserved, which is crucial for accurate taxonomic descriptions of fossil insects. The work presents a valuable and straightforward addition to our knowledge of Paleogene insect diversity. The primary strength of this paper lies in its clear taxonomic contribution and the expansion of the fossil record for a specific beetle family. Such discoveries from well-preserved amber deposits are essential for reconstructing ancient insect faunas, understanding their evolutionary history, and mapping their past biogeographical distributions. The addition of *Pseudomesauletes groehni* sp. n. enriches the known Rovno amber assemblage, offering new data points for analyzing the ecological composition and biodiversity of Eocene insect communities in Eastern Europe. Assuming the full manuscript provides a detailed and rigorous morphological description, accompanied by high-quality illustrations and a comprehensive comparative analysis with relevant extant and other fossil taxa, this paper will be a strong contribution to paleontological entomology. It would be beneficial for the authors to also place this new record within a broader phylogenetic or paleoecological context, discussing its implications for the evolution and distribution of Rhynchitidae. Overall, the reported discovery is significant and the paper appears well-suited for publication, pending verification of the descriptive quality and comparative breadth.

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