Pseudopulicidae
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| Pseudopulicidae Temporal range: Middle Jurassic - Early Cretaceous | |
|---|---|
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| Pseudopulex tanlan | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Siphonaptera |
| Family: | †Pseudopulicidae Gao, Shih & Ren, 2012 |
| Genera | |
Pseudopulicidae is an extinct family of stem-group fleas from the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous of China. They represent the oldest known group of stem-fleas.[1] Like other stem-group "giant fleas", they are much larger and lack the specialised morphology of modern fleas.
Pseudopulicids are much larger than modern fleas, varying from 8 mm to over 2 cm in body length. The females of the species are always larger than the males. The body is flattened, with a non-reduced thorax, and covered in posterior-facing hairs (setae). The antennae are relatively compact, with at least 16 antennomeres and 14-17 flagellomeres. The mouthparts are siphonate, with a piercing-suctorial function, and are serrated and longer in females. The distal (outer) part of the tibia is covered in comb-like ctenidia. The tarsi are elongate, at least as long as the femora and tibiae combined. The male abdominal sternites are sclerotized, and the penis of the males is large and exposed.[1]