On the systematic position and taxonomic rank of the extinct myxophagan dagger Haplochelus (Coleoptera)

dagger Haplochelus georissoides was described as the first fossil myxophagan beetle. We re-evaluated the systematic position based on an extensive morphological data set. A clade dagger Haplochelus+Lepicerus is very strongly supported. Both genera share a number of highly unusual apomorphies. This lineage is more uniform than the myxophagan families Torridincolidae and Hydroscaphidae. Therefore, we synonymize Haplochelidae. Lepiceridae (incl. dagger Haplochelus) are placed as sister-group of the remaining myxophagan families. An origin of the group in the Jurassic is likely considering the systematic position of Myxophaga and Lepiceridae.