New spider beetle fossils and implications for phylogeny of Ptininae (Coleoptera: Anobiidae)

Spider beetle fossils and remains have been discovered from various geographical areas and time periods, especially throughout various parts of Europe. Discussions of two of the first spider beetles from Dominican amber are presented. The unique morphology of these species suggest that they bear transitional characters between "typical" and myrmecophilous forms. Characters related to myrmecophily within the spider beetles are typically found on the pronotum or the elytra, as trichomes that are likely involved in interactions with ants. The two new species presented here indicate potential new characters that can be used for phylogenetic analysis of the Ptininae (or Ptinidae) and are discussed with further implications for spider beetle phylogeny.