Cerylonidae

Cerylonidae
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Cerylon figures 1-4
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Polyphaga
Superfamily:	Cucujoidea
Family:	Cerylonidae Billberg, 1820

Cerylonidae are small to tiny (0.8–3 mm.), 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.

The taxonomy is complex.The “Cerylonid Series” is a cluster of highly derived Cucujoidea families comprising Alexiidae, Bothrideridae, Cerylonidae, Coccinellidae, Corylophidae, Discolomatidae, Endomychidae, and Latridiidae.

Subfamilies

• Ceryloninae
• Euxestinae
• Loeblioryloninae
• Murmidiinae
• Ostomopsinae

External links

• Cerylonidae Tree of Life