A new flying water beetle (Coleoptera: Schizophoridae) from the Jurassic Daohugou lagerstätte

A new schizophorid beetle, Sinoschizala darani n. gen. n. sp. (Insecta: Coleoptera), is described from the Middle Jurassic volcano-sedimentary siliciclastics of the Daohugou Konservat-Lagerstätte (Inner Mongolia). Our knowledge of the allied aquatic archostematans is summarized with a particular reference to China. The unusual orientation (outspread elytra in flight position) and rare incomplete preservation (no head or abdomen) are discussed. With a wingspan of four centimetres, this is the largest species of Schizophoridae yet found in China, and the unique holotype suggests a natural casualty of a mating or colonizing flight rather than a volcanic eruption.