Micromalthidae
| Micromalthidae Temporal range:
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|---|---|
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| "Ghost adult" stage of Micromalthus debilis | |
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| Larval stage of Micromalthus debilis | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Archostemata |
| Family: | Micromalthidae Barber, 1913 |
| Genera | |
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Micromalthidae is an ancient family of small beetles belonging to the suborder Archostemata. The only known living representative is the telephone-pole beetle, Micromalthus debilis. A few extinct species have been described,[3] the oldest being the Late Permian Archaeomalthus synoriacos.[1] It is one of the oldest families of beetles still existing today.[3]
Micromalthus debilis is remarkable for its paedogenetic reproductive strategy which is almost unique in the animal kingdom, with the partial exception of Loricifera,[4] and that could have already evolved in prehistoric Micromalthidae.[2][1]
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