Cerophytum lii Qiu & Ruan, sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Cerophytidae): First Record of the Family in China with Study on Its Thoracic Functional Morphology Through 3D Reconstruction.

The beetle family Cerophytidae is reported from China for the first time, based on the discovery of Cerophytum lii Qiu & Ruan, sp. nov. and Cerophytum sp., both from Daweishan Mountain in Southeast Yunnan Province. Detailed descriptions and diagnostic illustrations of Cerophytum liisp. nov. are provided, along with an identification key to extant Cerophytum species worldwide. A representative specimen of the new species (a male paratype) underwent micro-computed tomography scanning, enabling three-dimensional reconstruction and virtual dissection of its thoracic morphology. Internal muscular architecture and exoskeletal structures of its thorax are illustrated and described. Comparative morphological analyses revealed convergent evolution in the clicking structures of Cerophytum liisp. nov. and Campsosternus auratus (Drury), with the latter exhibiting more specialized structural modifications that enhance its jumping performance to a greater degree. In contrast, Cerophytum liisp. nov. exhibits morphological adaptations primarily suited for rapid walking and flight.