Cerylonidae

Cerylonidae are small to tiny (0.8–3 mm (0.031–0.118 in)), smooth, shiny, hairless beetles, only lightly punctured. There are about 450 species worldwide in 50 or so genera, mostly tropical and subtropical. They are most common under the bark of dead trees, but can also occur in compost and other decaying plant material. Little is known specifically about their biology but they are thought to be either predators that feed on other small animals, or fungus eating.

Cerylonidae
Temporal range:
Cerylon fagi
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Infraorder: Cucujiformia
Superfamily: Coccinelloidea
Family: Cerylonidae
Billberg, 1820
Subfamilies
Synonyms
  • Aculagnathidae Oke, 1932
  • Dolosidae
  • Pleosomidae
  • Ploeosomidae
Cerylon figures 1-4

The taxonomy is complex. The "Cerylonid Series" is a cluster of highly derived former Cucujoidea families considered by recent authorities to comprise a separate superfamily Coccinelloidea. Several of these families (Alexiidae, Euxestidae, Murmidiidae) used to be included within Cerylonidae.

Selected Genera
  • Afrorylon Slipinski, 1980 g
  • As g
  • Australiorylon Slipinski, 1988 g
  • Axiocerylon Grouvelle, 1918 g
  • Cautomus Sharp, 1885 g
  • Cerylon Latreille, 1802 i c g b
  • Cerylonopsis Handlirsch, 1906 g
  • Ivieus Slipinski, 1991 g
  • Loebliorylon Slipinski, 1990 i c g
  • Lytopeplus Sharp, 1895 g
  • Mychocerus Erichson, 1845 i c g b
  • Ostomopsis Scott, 1922 i c g b
  • Pathelus Dajoz, 1974 g
  • Philothermopsis Heinze, 1944 g
  • Philothermus Aubé, 1843 i c g b
  • Ploeosoma Wollaston, 1854 g

Data sources: i = ITIS,[1] c = Catalogue of Life,[2] g = GBIF,[3] b = Bugguide.net[4]

Extinct genera

References
  1. "Cerylonidae Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  2. "Browse Cerylonidae". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  3. "Cerylonidae". GBIF. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  4. "Cerylonidae Family Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
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