Cleroidea Latreille, 1802

Tshernyshev, Sergei E., Alekseev, Vitalii, Bukejs, Andris, Vasilenko, Dmitry V., Legalov, Andrej A. & Perkovsky, Evgeny E., 2025, First record of the family Melyridae (Coleoptera: Cleroidea) in late Eocene European ambers with description of a new tribe, a new genus and seven new species, Zootaxa 5696 (4), pp. 542-566 : 544

Superfamily Cleroidea Latreille, 1802

In light of the different views on the systematics of groups within Cleroidea (see e.g. Lawrence & Leschen 2010) and with aim of explanation of the systematic position of new tribe, the key for identification of Melyrid lineage families combined with the identification key for subfamilies and tribes within Melyridae (according to Majer 1987 with modifications) is provided below.

Key to melyrid lineage families

1. Ventral side of anterior tarsomeres 2 and 3 in male densely covered with strong setae. Eyes and pronotum distinctly marginate, elytra sparsely covered with semi-erect hairs only. Body size 5.0–18.0 mm............................. Prionoceridae

- Ventral side of anterior tarsomeres 2 and 3 in male simple, lacking strong setae. Eyes and pronotum weakly marginate or lacking margination, elytra evenly pubescent, often with double pubescence, erect or semi-erect and adpressed. Body size 1.0–12.0 mm......................................................................................... 2

2. Thorax with evaginating vesicles; body integument weakly sclerotized; sternites contractable; elytra evenly widened towards the apex and flattened; surface covered with double pubescence. Most species sexually dimorphic and possess special male characters. Body size 1.0–10.0 mm.............................................................. Malachiidae

- Thorax without evaginating vesicles; body integument strongly sclerotized; sternites unable to contract; elytra evenly rounded towards the apex and weakly flattened; surface covered with erect or adpressed hairs, rarely with double pubescence. Most species lack special male characters indicating sexual dimorphism.............................................. 3

3. Antennae with conical antennomeres and well-defined clava. Claws long and slender, lacking appendages at base................................................................................................. Mauroniscidae

- Antennae with oval, parallel or triangular antennomeres and not well indicated clava. Claws different in shape, with plates, denticles of setae at base............................................................................... 4

4. First tarsomere not shorter than second one; claws short, at base with or without appendages; elytra lacking longitudinal carinae, with irregular punctures. Relatively small, body size 3.0–10.0 mm................................ Dasytidae

- First tarsomere twice shorter then second one; claws long, with denticle at base; elytra often with longitudinal carinae and regular rows of punctures. Relatively large, body size 5.0–12.0 mm, Eocene taxa 2.5–4.0 mm................ Melyridae