Recobristidae

Recobristidae is an extinct family of beetles known from fossil material. The group comprises a small number of genera described from skeletal impressions and compressions preserved in sedimentary rocks. Because living representatives are absent, knowledge of the family relies on morphology preserved in fossils.

Taxonomic placement within Coleoptera has been debated. Some paleontological classifications have placed Recobristidae within early beetle lineages close to Archostemata, while others treat it as a stem group outside modern suborders. Consequently, the precise relationships of Recobristidae to other fossil and extant beetle groups remain unsettled and may shift with new discoveries or analyses.

Morphology commonly cited in the literature includes a compact body, sclerotized exoskeleton, and characteristics of the elytra and leg segments that distinguish fossils attributed to Recobristidae. Preservation quality varies, so many species are known from limited material, which constrains diagnostic definitions.

Geographic and temporal distribution: Fossils attributed to Recobristidae have been found in several fossil sites around the world, indicating a wider ancient distribution. The age of the material generally places the group in the Mesozoic era, though precise dating and species ranges differ by specimen and study.

Ecology and diversity: Due to the fragmentary fossil record, ecological roles are inferred rather than observed; it is presumed that recobristids occupied forested or wood-associated habitats and were detritivorous or xylophagous to some extent. The family is considered extinct, with no living descendants known.