Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Cai C
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5204161 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Cai Chenyang C Newton Alfred F AF Thayer Margaret K MK Leschen Richard A B RA Huang Diying D
Proceedings. Biological sciences 20161201 1845
Insects and fungi have a long history of association in shared habitats. Fungus-feeding, or mycophagy, is remarkably widespread in beetles (Coleoptera) and appears to be a primitive feeding habit that preceded feeding on plant tissues. Numerous Mesozoic beetles belonging to extant fungus-associated families are known, but direct fossil evidence elucidating mycophagy in insects has remained elusive. Here, we report a remarkable genus and species, Vetuproteinus cretaceus gen. et sp. nov., belongin ...[more]