Elytra
Definition
Modified forewings of beetles, covering differing amounts of the body across taxa. Their extent and other characters can assist identification alongside the head, antennae, legs and additional structures. Not all beetles have long elytra covering the whole abdomen.
- Context
- Beetle morphology
For example, short elytra exposing part of a beetle’s abdomen can be useful characters, but must be assessed with the rest of the specimen.
Their presence alone does not establish a family, species or time on remains.
Related terms
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