The most ancient bark beetle known: a new tribe, genus and species from Lebanese amber (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae)

Cylindrobrotus pectinatus gen. et sp.n., a new scolytine species from Cretaceous Lebanese amber, is described. A new tribe, Cylindrobrotini trib.n., is proposed for this unique species, which demonstrates an unusual combination of some archaic and many advanced characters. This finding suggests that the Scolytinae became a distinct lineage of Curculionoidea from the Lower Cretaceous. Fossil records are reviewed, and some remarks on the origin and taxonomic position of bark and ambrosia beetles are made. Some comments on the various phylogenetic interpretations of the last 30 years are given, particularly in respect of their correspondence with the fossil record. The early appearance of Scolytinae in the fossil record before other Curculionidae (which appeared in the Upper Cretaceous) can be used as evidence against the hypothesis of bark beetles as offspring of weevils. The question of the taxonomic rank of bark beetles (separate subfamily or family) and their placement among other groups of the superfamily remains unsolved.