Cretaceous beetles of the Jinju Formation (Coleoptera): An overview of the Jinju Formation, its coleopteran diversity, and past and future research

Abstract

Several Coleoptera fossils, including Coptoclavidae, Elateridae, Ommatidae, and Staphylinidae, were previously described from the Jinju Formation (Albian), South Korea. However, numerous beetle fossils require further research to fully understand the biodiversity of this important Cretaceous deposit. In this study, we present an overview of the diversity of Coleoptera from the Jinju Formation. Future studies on beetles of the Jinju Formation will be divided into several parts corresponding to the major lineages found in this Albian deposit. In this first part, we introduce the geological context, review previous studies related to Coleoptera fossils from the Jinju Formation, and present specimens that will undergo detailed examination in subsequent papers.