A New Genus and Two New Extant Species Closely Allied with the Fossil Genus Pauroripidius (Coleoptera: Ripiphoridae).

A new genus is established for two engimatic Old World ripidiine beetle species. Neopauroripidius Falin and Engel, new genus (Ripidiinae: Ripidiini), exhibits many unique features indicative of a relationship to the fossil genus Pauroripidius Kaupp and Nagel as well as a distinct extra notal sclerite not otherwise known among the Ripiphoridae. The arrangement of sclerites in the thoracic notum permits a reinterpretation of homologies. Brief comments on character transformations within Ripidiini and the affinities of the new genus are provided. The type species, Neopauroripidius darlingi Falin and Engel, new species, is described from the Philippines, while a second species, N. howdeni Falin and Engel, new species, is described from South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]