The resurrection of Cerasommatidiidae, an enigmatic group of coccinelloid beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinelloidea) based on molecular and morphological evidence

Abstract The family Cerasommatidiidae was proposed by Brèthes in 1925 for his new genus Cerasommatidia from Brazil, described as an intermediate taxon between Endomychidae and Coccinellidae (Coccinelloidea). This group neglected decades until 1994 when the resemblance of with eupsilobiine Ibicarella noticed, synonymized Eupsilobiinae (Endomychidae). Based on newly discovered material Neotropical Afrotropical regions clear to Ibicarella, phylogenetic placement these taxa allied genera reassessed based analyses molecular, morphological combined datasets. data were analysed under Bayesian (BI), maximum likelihood (ML) parsimony (MP) frameworks. Our results support restoration a distinct Coccinelloidea. Close affinity Coccinellidae, Eupsilobiidae Mycetaeidae is recovered sister-relationship highly supported. found be junior synonym Cerasommatidia. Three six species are illustrated: Yamuy gen. nov. (type species, Y. marginatus sp. nov.; constratus nov.) Karumbe K. geiseri brethesi pakaluki Neotropics Mahavelo M. madagasus Madagascar.