THE NOTOTYLIDAE, AN ENIGMATIC FAMILY OF C OLEOPTERA ADEPHAGA

The species Nototylus fryi (Schaum) was described in 1863 from Brasil. The only specimen known, a female, is the unique representative of a family of Coleoptera Adephaga. The Author gives a new and detailed des cription of this single specimen and discusses its systematic position and phylogenetic affinities. The absence of a protibial antennal clea ning organ and the primitive features of the antennae set Nototylus am ong the most ancient lineages of Adephaga. On the other hand, the clos ed procoxal cavities (sensu Leconte, 1853), with pleural lobe fitting into the prosternal process, and the harpalidian-type postabdomen (sen su Deuve, 1988), are apomorphic character states which isolate this en igmatic family. However, some apomorphies present in Nototylus (especi ally compression of the protibia, tergite IX differentiated as a thin transversal arch, laterotergites IX reduced and very lateral in locati on, and the diffuse dorsal pubescence), are shared with some represent atives of the Paussidae. For this reason, phylogenetic affinities betw een these two families are likely. The hypothesis of a sister-group re lationship between Nototylidae and Paussidae is suggested, but with do ubt. So, the Nototylidae remain an enigmatic family.