Prostomidae

Definition

A small family of beetles (Coleoptera) comprising two extant genera—Prostomis and Dryocora—with approximately 20 described species. Members are saproxylic, typically inhabiting dead and decaying wood. The family has a disjunct distribution: Prostomis species occur in North America, Europe, Africa, the Pacific region and East Asia, while Dryocora is restricted to New Zealand, Australia and Tasmania. The family lacks a long-established common name; 'jugular-horned beetles' is a recently proposed vernacular.

Etymology

Example

Prostomis americanus, a North American representative of Prostomidae, is collected from rotting logs in montane forests.

Synonyms

• jugular-horned beetles (recently coined)

Related Terms

• Coleoptera
• Prostomis
• Dryocora
• saproxylic
• dead wood habitat

Usage Notes

The family is morphologically distinctive but rarely encountered due to its cryptic lifestyle in decaying wood. Specialists distinguish Prostomis (wider distribution, more species) from Dryocora (Australasian endemics). The common name 'jugular-horned beetles' has limited currency; scientific names remain standard in the literature.