# A new fossil species of the extant genus Vicelva from mid‐Cretaceous Kachin amber (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

## TL;DR

A new ancient beetle species, related to a modern genus, was found in mid-Cretaceous amber from Myanmar, offering insights into its biology and preservation.

## Contribution

The discovery of a new fossil species in mid-Cretaceous amber expands the evolutionary history of the extant genus Vicelva.

## Key findings

- The new species, V. rasilis, is distinguishable from modern Vicelva species by specific morphological traits.
- A pollen-containing coprolite and crystals in the beetle body provide clues about its biology and fossilization process.

## Abstract

A new species of the extant staphylinid genus Vicelva Moore & Legner, V. rasilis sp. nov., is reported from mid‐Cretaceous Kachin amber of northern Myanmar. Vicelva rasilis is distinguishable from extant members of Vicelva by the smoother dorsal surface of head, pronotum and elytra, less prominent median projection of clypeus, unnotched mesal edge of mandibles, semiglabrous antennomere 6, and longer tarsomere 1. The pollen‐containing coprolite attached to the beetle and the crystals within the beetle body provide valuable information about the biology and taphonomy of the fossil.

A new species of the extant staphylinid genus Vicelva Moore & Legner, V. rasilis sp. nov., is reported from mid‐Cretaceous Kachin amber of northern Myanmar. The pollen‐containing coprolite attached to the beetle and the crystals within the beetle body provide valuable information about the biology and taphonomy of the fossil.