geosciences Review Fossil History of Curculionoidea (Coleoptera) from the Paleogene Andrei A. Legalov 1,2 1 Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ulitsa Frunze, 11, 630091 Novosibirsk, Novosibirsk Oblast, Russia;
[email protected]; Tel.: +7-9139471413 2 Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, Lenin Ave, 36, 634050 Tomsk, Tomsk Oblast, Russia Received: 23 June 2020; Accepted: 4 September 2020; Published: 6 September 2020 Abstract: Currently, some 564 species of Curculionoidea from nine families (Nemonychidae—4, Anthribidae—33, Ithyceridae—3, Belidae—9, Rhynchitidae—41, Attelabidae—3, Brentidae—47, Curculionidae—384, Platypodidae—2, Scolytidae—37) are known from the Paleogene. Twenty-seven species are found in the Paleocene, 442 in the Eocene and 94 in the Oligocene. The greatest diversity of Curculionoidea is described from the Eocene of Europe and North America. The richest faunas are known from Eocene localities, Florissant (177 species), Baltic amber (124 species) and Green River formation (75 species). The family Curculionidae dominates in all Paleogene localities. Weevil species associated with herbaceous vegetation are present in most localities since the middle Paleocene. A list of Curculionoidea species and their distribution by location is presented. Keywords: Coleoptera; Curculionoidea; fossil weevil; faunal structure; Paleocene; Eocene; Oligocene 1. Introduction Research into the biodiversity of the past is very important for understanding the development of life on our planet. Insects are one of the Main components of both extinct and recent ecosystems. Coleoptera occupied a special place in the terrestrial animal biotas of the Mesozoic and Cenozoics, as they are characterized by not only great diversity but also by their ecological specialization.