The earliest oxyteline rove beetle in amber and its systematic implications (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae)

A new genus and species, Prajna tianmiaoae gen. & sp. nov., is described and figured based on a well-preserved individual in Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar. Prajna is definitely placed in the extant tribe Thinobiini Sahlberg of the staphylinid subfamily Oxytelinae Fleming based on its mostly convergent gular sutures, distinctly delimited and constricted neck, subulate maxillary palpi 4, stylus-bearing sternite IX in females, closely situated mesocoxae, spineless tibiae, 3-3-3 tarsal formula with strongly compressed basal two tarsomeres and with lobes on tarsomere 2, and typical Thinobiini-like pubescence. Prajna is separated from other allied genera by the depressions on the head, complete epistomal suture, slender maxillary palpomere 3, subulate palpomere 4, and tri-sulcate pronotum. The new genus combines some key characters of both Oxytelini and Thinobiini, indicating the close relatedness of the two tribes.