Orsodacnidae
- Pronunciation
- /or-soh-DACK-nih-dee/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- Orsodacnidae
Definition
A small of (: Chrysomeloidea), formerly treated as the Orsodacninae within . The family comprises relatively few and represents the smallest chrysomeloid family in North America by . Members are distinguished from related chrysomeloid by specific combinations of and larval morphological characters that supported their elevation to family rank.
Full guide
Read the full Orsodacnidae guide for identification, examples, and taxonomy.
Etymology
Example
The Aulacoscelis in Orsodacnidae includes a fossil known from the Early Cretaceous Santana Group of Brazil, providing evidence for the antiquity of this chrysomeloid lineage.
Related Terms
- Chrysomelidae
- Chrysomeloidea
- Coleoptera
- leaf beetle
- Subfamily
Usage Notes
Taxonomic rank elevated from (Orsodacninae) to based on phylogenetic studies; some older literature may still refer to these as orsodacnine . Distinguished from the smaller Oxypeltidae, which is restricted to South America with only three extant . The family's small size makes it easy to overlook in regional species inventories.