[PaleoEntomology • 2024] Palaeorhoptrocentrus tenuicornis, Taphaeus obscurus & Eubazus electrus • New Species of braconid parasitoid wasps from the Subfamilies Doryctinae and Brachistinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from late Eocene Baltic Amber

 

Belokobylskij, Pankowski & Zaldívar-Riverón, 2024 

DOI: 10.11646/palaeoentomology.7.5.8

Abstract

Three new fossil species of braconid wasps are described and illustrated from late Eocene Baltic amber: Palaeorhoptrocentrus tenuicornis sp. nov. (Doryctinae), Taphaeus obscurus sp. nov. (Brachistinae: Diospilini), and Eubazus electrus sp. nov. (Brachistinae: Brachistini). Keys to the known species of Palaeorhoptrocentrus Belokobylskij, 2023 and to species of Eubazus Nees, 1812 described from Baltic amber are provided. An illustrated redescription of Blacus (Electroblacus) facialis Brues, 1933 (Brachistinae: Blacini) is also provided, along with digital photographs for the first time of the female of B. (Electroblacus) facialis, whose type material was lost during the World War II. We also provide morphological notes and digital photographs of a male belonging to an undescribed species of Meteorus (Euphorinae).

Eocene, parasitoids, wasp, fossil, Diospilini, Blacini, Brachistini, Meteorus

 

Sergey A. Belokobylskij, Madeline V. Pankowski, Alejandro Zaldívar-Riverón. 2024. New Species of braconid parasitoid wasps from the Subfamilies Doryctinae and Brachistinae from late Eocene Baltic Amber.  Palaeoentomology. 7(5); 645–658. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/palaeoentomology.7.5.8

 x.com/ZaldivarRiveron/status/1851562765980229755 

[PaleoEntomology • 2021] Cretophengodes azari • Cretophengodidae, A New Cretaceous Beetle Family (Coleoptera: Elateroidea), sheds light on the Evolution of Bioluminescence

Cretophengodes azari Li, Kundrata, Tihelka & Cai, 

in Li, Kundrata, Tihelka, Liu, Huang et Cai, 2021. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2020.2730  

 Researchgate.net/publication/348620787

Abstract

Bioluminescent beetles of the superfamily Elateroidea (fireflies, fire beetles, glow-worms) are the most speciose group of terrestrial light-producing animals. The evolution of bioluminescence in elateroids is associated with unusual morphological modifications, such as soft-bodiedness and neoteny, but the fragmentary nature of the fossil record discloses little about the origin of these adaptations. We report the discovery of a new bioluminescent elateroid beetle family from the mid-Cretaceous of northern Myanmar (ca 99 Ma), Cretophengodidae fam. nov. Cretophengodes azari gen. et sp. nov. belongs to the bioluminescent lampyroid clade, and would appear to represent a transitional fossil linking the soft-bodied Phengodidae + Rhagophthalmidae clade and hard-bodied elateroids. The fossil male possesses a light organ on the abdomen which presumably served a defensive function, documenting a Cretaceous radiation of bioluminescent beetles coinciding with the diversification of major insectivore groups such as frogs and stem-group birds. The discovery adds a key branch to the elateroid tree of life and sheds light on the evolution of soft-bodiedness and the historical biogeography of elateroid beetles.

Order Coleoptera Linnaeus, 1758

Suborder Polyphaga Emery, 1886

Superfamily Elateroidea Leach, 1815

Cretophengodidae Li, Kundrata, Tihelka and Cai fam. nov.

Type genus. Cretophengodes gen. nov.

Diagnosis (male). Mandibles slender, sickle-shaped. Frontoclypeal region moderately declined anteriorly. Eyes large, strongly protruding. Antennae 12-segmented; antennomere 1 stout, expanding apically; antennomeres 2 and 3 short; antennomeres 4–11 elongate, bipectinate. Prosternum in front of coxae longer than diameter of procoxal cavity. Prosternal process narrow and elongate, acute apically, reaching posterior edge of procoxae. Elytra oblong, sub-parallel sided, nearly completely covering abdomen, leaving at most only apex of ultimate tergite exposed. Tarsal formula 5-5-5; tarsomeres 2–4 each with membranous lobe. Abdomen with six apparently immovable ventrites; photic organ present on median portions of the basal three abdominal ventrites.

Composition and distribution. Monogeneric, with Cretophengodes gen. nov. known only from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber.

Cretophengodes Li, Kundrata, Tihelka and Cai gen. nov.

 

Etymology. The generic name is derived partly from ‘Cretaceous’, in reference to the age of the fossil, and the genus Phengodes, the type genus of the morphologically similar and presumably closely related Phengodidae. The gender is masculine.

Diagnosis. As for the family with additional characters: body moderate (approx. 7.3 mm long); pronotum sub-pentagonal, wider than long; elytra irregularly punctate, with several raised interstrial intervals forming indistinct carinae; claws simple.

 General habitus of Cretophengodidae and representatives of the closely related Phengodidae and Rhagophthalmidae, under incident light.
(a, b) Cretophengodes azari gen. et sp. nov., dorsal and ventral views, respectively, with arrowhead showing the photic organ.
(c, d) Zarhipis sp. (Phengodidae), dorsal and ventral views, respectively.
(e, f) Rhagophthalmus sp. (Rhagophthalmidae), dorsal and ventral views, respectively.

Scale bars: (a,b,e,f) 2 mm; (c,d) 4 mm. (Online version in colour.)

Cretophengodes azari Li, Kundrata, Tihelka and Cai sp. nov.

Etymology. After Prof. Dany Azar, palaeoentomologist extraordinaire.

Type material. Holotype, NIGP173775, male, mid-Cretaceous (upper Albian to lower Cenomanian [26,27]), from amber mine near Noije Bum Village, Hukawng Valley, Tanai Township, Myitkyina District, Kachin State, northern Myanmar.

Geographical distribution of Cretophengodidae (genus Cretophengodes), Phengodidae (subfamilies Cydistinae, Mastinocerinae and Phengodinae) and Rhagophthalmidae. World map adapted from Natural Earth (NaturalEarthData.com).  

 Artistic reconstruction of Cretophengodes azari gen. et sp. nov. The larviform female in the background is reconstructed based on extant Phengodidae and Rhagophthalmidae.  

 

 

Yan-Da Li, Robin Kundrata, Erik Tihelka, Zhenhua Liu, Diying Huang and Chenyang Cai. 2024. Cretophengodidae, A New Cretaceous Beetle Family, sheds light on the Evolution of Bioluminescence. Proc. R. Soc. B. 288: 20202730

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2020.2730 

  Researchgate.net/publication/348620787_Cretophengodidae_a_new_Cretaceous_beetle_family_sheds_light_on_the_evolution_of_bioluminescence

[Paleontology • 2024] Electroscincus zedi • Compound Osteoderms preserved in Amber reveal the Oldest Known Skink

Electroscincus zedi

Daza, Stanley, Heinicke, Leah, Doucet, Fenner, Arias, Smith, Peretti, Aung & Bauer, 2024 

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66451-w  

Researchgate.net/publication/382080111

Abstract

Scincidae is one of the most species-rich and cosmopolitan clades of squamate reptiles. Abundant disarticulated fossil material has also been attributed to this group, however, no complete pre-Cenozoic crown-scincid specimens have been found. A specimen in Burmite (99 MYA) is the first fossil that can be unambiguously referred to this clade. Our analyses place it as nested within extant skinks, supported by the presence of compound osteoderms formed by articulated small ostedermites. The specimen has a combination of dorsal and ventral compound osteoderms and overlapping cycloid scales that is limited to skinks. We propose that this type of osteoderm evolved as a response to an increased overlap of scales, and to reduced stiffness of the dermal armour. Compound osteoderms could be a key innovation that facilitated diversification in this megadiverse family.

Electroscincus zedi. Fossil in ventral (a) and dorsal (b) views. Detail of the right foot (c, e) and osteoderms (d). X-ray of the whole specimen showing the skeletal remains, and several articulated and scattered osteoderms (f). Scale bar applies to the entire amber piece.

  

Electroscincus zedi, pectoral and pelvic girdle in ventral view (a, b). Numbers indicate digit number.

Systematic Paleontology.

Squamata Oppel, 1811.

Scincoidea Oppel, 1811.

Scincidae Gray, 1825.

Electroscincus zedi, gen. et sp. nov.

Diagnosis:

A small lizard with an estimated snout vent length (SVL) of 30 mm. Electroscincus zedi differs from all other known squamates from the Mesozoic by the presence of imbricate, compound osteoderms arranged in a staggered pattern around the body, supporting its placement in Scincidae (Figs. 2, 3). Its inclusion within Scincidae is also supported by its possession of cycloid scales around the body28 overlying compound osteoderms (in some Cordyliformes compound osteoderms are present in scales of the ventral surface only49,50). The osteoderms are very different from rectangular and imbricated paramacellodid osteoderms.

...

Holotype: Peretti Museum Foundation/ GRS GemResearch Swisslab AG (GRS-Ref-51036).

Type locality. Specimen comes from mid-Cretaceous (Late Albian/early Cenomanian) outcrops in the Myitkyina District, Hukawng Valley, Kachin Province, northern Myanmar, approximately 100 km west of the town of Myitkyina. Precise location of these mines, history of excavations, and stratigraphy of the Burmese amber deposits are summarized elsewhere51.

Etymology. The generic name is a combination of the Latin word for amber (electrum) and skink (scincus). The species epithet zedi refers to the bell-shaped stupas that house relics at Burmese Buddhist temples, referencing the smooth-sided amber housing the fossil remains, while also honoring David Temple, Curator of Paleontology at the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences (HMNS), for his contributions to palaeontology and public awareness of Burmite fossils (including the social conflict associated with its mining in Myanmar) by developing the exhibit “Amber Secrets, Feathers from the Age of Dinosaurs”.

Life reconstruction of Electroscincus zedi. Areas of the lizard not represented in the material available are depicted as blurred. Illustration by Stephanie Abramowicz.

Juan D. Daza, Edward L. Stanley, Matthew P. Heinicke, Chuck Leah, Daniel S. Doucet, Kelsey L. Fenner, J. Salvador Arias, Ru D. A. Smith, Adolf M. Peretti, Nyi Nyi Aung and Aaron M. Bauer. 2024. Compound Osteoderms preserved in Amber reveal the Oldest Known Skink. Scientific Reports. 14, 15662. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66451-w

  Researchgate.net/publication/382080111_Compound_osteoderms_preserved_in_amber_reveal_the_oldest_known_skink

[Paleontology • 2023] Theatops groehni • An Eocene Fossil plutoniumid Centipede: A New Species of Theatops (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha: Plutoniumidae) from Baltic Amber

 Theatops groehni 

Edgecombe, Strange, Popovici, West & Vahtera, 2023

 

DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2023.2228796 

  twitter.com/JournalSystPal

 

Abstract

Four specimens of the same species of scolopendromorph centipede from Eocene Baltic amber provide the first fossil occurrence of the family Plutoniumidae, a clade represented by seven extant species. The fossil material, documented by light microscopy and computed microtomography, is assigned to the genus Theatops Newport, Citation1844, which currently has a disjunct distribution in temperate North America, the Mediterranean region, and central China. The Eocene species is diagnostically distinct from extant congeners and is formally described as Theatops groehni sp. nov. Phylogenetic analysis of combined morphological and molecular data for three loci finds T. groehni to be nested within crown-group Plutoniumidae. The discovery of T. groehni constrains the minimal divergence date for crown-group Plutoniumidae and is consistent with hypotheses regarding the extent and nature of tropical to warm temperate European forests during the Eocene. The fossil reinforces the hypothesis that the distribution of Plutoniumidae, once more geographically widespread, has been pruned by extinction.

 

Keywords: Scolopendromorpha, Plutoniumidae, Theatops, Baltic Amber, Eocene

 Theatops groehni sp. nov.

Gregory D. Edgecombe, Susan E. Strange, George Popovici, Taylor West and Varpu Vahtera. 2023. An Eocene Fossil plutoniumid Centipede: A New Species of Theatops from Baltic Amber (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha). Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 21(1): 2228796. DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2023.2228796

  twitter.com/WildWildTWest/status/1681691972208152577

  twitter.com/JournalSystPal/status/1683472488133545989

[PaleoEntomology • 2019] Danatettix hoffeinsorum • The Last batrachideine of Europe: A New Genus and Species of Pygmy Grasshopper (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) from Eocene Baltic Amber

Danatettix hoffeinsorum

 Thomas, Skejo & Heads, 2019

 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4686.3.9

Abstract

A new genus and species of pygmy grasshopper (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) is described from Eocene Baltic amber. Danatettix hoffeinsorum gen. et sp. nov. is assigned to the subfamily Batrachideinae based on antennae with more than 19 antennomeres, sulcate mesofemora, and rectangular paranota. This species is readily distinguished from other batrachideines by a markedly produced vertex, pronotum with divergent internal and external lateral carinae, and highly setiferous female lateral basivalvular sclerite with scabrose integument. The morphology of Danatettix suggests placement within the here defined Tettigidea genus group (comprising Eutettigidea Hancock, 1914, Paurotarsus Hancock, 1900, and Tettigidea Scudder, 1862) and suggests that the latter had diverged from the new Scaria genus group (comprising Eotetrix Gorochov, 2012, Rehnidium Grant, 1956 and Scaria Bolívar, 1887) by the Early Eocene.

Keywords: Orthoptera, Caelifera, Tetrigoidea, pygmy locusts, grouse locusts, groundhoppers, Cenozoic, Paleogene, Baltic amber, fossil insects

 Danatettix hoffeinsorum [holotype 1084-4]
 Dorsal oblique view;  Line drawing.

 (scale bar = 1 mm)

  

Danatettix hoffeinsorum gen. et sp. nov. 

 Danatettix hoffeinsorum
Fig 3. Ventral view of holotype 1084-4 (scale bar = 1 mm).
Fig 4. Close-up ventral view of ovipositor valvulae and subgenital plate of holotype 1084-4 (scale bar = 0.2 mm)

M. Jared Thomas, Josip Skejo and Sam W. Heads. 2019. The Last batrachideine of Europe: A New Genus and Species of Pygmy Grasshopper (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) from Eocene Baltic Amber. Zootaxa. 4686(3); 435–445. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4686.3.9

[PaleoBotany • 2024] Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae n. gen. n. sp. (Leguminosae: Detarioideae) • A New extinct Member of the Resin Producer Group of the Mexican Amber

Reconstruction of flowers, leaf, and whole plant of Hymenaea clade in the Mexican amber.
 (A) Hymenaea mexicana (Poinar and Brown, 2002), scale bar = 5.0 mm. (B) A bifoliate leaf of H. mexicana, scale bar = 5.0 mm. (C) Hymenaea allendis, scale bar = 5.0 mm. (Calvillo-Canadell et al., 2010).
(D) Hypothetical Hymenaea clade tree, scale bar=1.0 m.
(E) Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae, scale bar=5.0 mm. (F) Details of brochidodromous secondary veins and abundant translucid glands of Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae, scale bar = 2.0 mm. 

Hernández-Damián, Rubalcava-Knoth & Cevallos-Ferriz, 2024

 DOI: 10.1016/j.palwor.2024.04.004

Drawings by Aldo Domínguez de la Torre.

 

Abstract

One of the most important amber deposits with bioinclusion outcrops in Chiapas, southern Mexico, dated ca. 23–15 Ma (early–middle Miocene). Angiosperms (flowering plants) are the most frequently recorded group, with ca. 16 families based principally on fossil flowers and occasional leaves, including members of Leguminosae. This study reports new bifoliolate-compound leaves preserved in Mexican amber, represented by a pair of leaflets marginally attached to a short petiole. Each leaflet is ovate to oblong with an entire margin and has an acuminate apex with a pinnate primary vein. Their characteristics are comparable with bifoliate compound leaves of extant members of Cercidoideae, Caesalpinioideae, and Detarioideae subfamilies. Their asymmetrical base, brochidodromous secondary veins, and abundant translucid glands allow establishment of a new extinct resin-producing member of the Hymenaea clade (Detarieae, Detarioideae), Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae n. gen. n. sp. Hymenaea clade includes Guibourtia, Hymenaea, and Peltogyne, all with similar foliar architecture and other plant characteristics, including reproductive structures. The connection of Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae with extinct members of resin-producing plants recognized previously is uncertain. The discovery of Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae in the Mexican amber suggests that the Boreotropical Flora extended to low latitudes of North America during the Miocene.

Keywords: Amber, bifoliate leaves, Detarieae, Leguminosae, Miocene

 Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae n. gen. n. sp., IGM-PB 1550, holotype.
 (A) General view of the bifoliolate leaf. (B) Line drawing of (A), highlighting preserved leaf architecture.

 Scale bars = 1 cm.

Family Leguminosae Jussieu

Subfamily Detarioideae Burmeister

Tribe Detarieae de Candolle

Clade Hymenaea (sensu Fougère-Danezan et al., 2010)

Hymenaeaphyllum Hernández-Damián, Rubalcava-Knoth and Cevallos-Ferriz, n. gen.

Etymology: Highlighting the remarkable similarity of a vegetative organ (leaf) to the Hymenaea clade.

Generic diagnosis: Bifoliolate-compound leaves; two petiolulate leaflets, slightly asymmetrical; petiolule bases pulvinulate; leaflets with asymmetrical base with basal insertion asymmetrical; apex acuminate; elliptical to slightly oblong shape; pinnate primary vein, becoming thinner distally; second-order venation simple brochidodromous, forming irregular arches distally; third-order venation is reticulate irregular but sometimes mixed percurrent veins can be found; translucent gland dots are distributed on the surface of the leaflets in a very high density (50.9 per mm2).

Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae Hernández-Damián, Rubalcava-Knoth and Cevallos-Ferriz, n. sp.

Etymology: The epithet recognizes Dr. Faustino Miranda, a pioneer in the study of plants in Mexican amber.

 

Repository: Colección Nacional de Paleontología, Museo María del Carmen Perrilliat M., Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (IGM-PB).

Locality: Simojovel de Allende, Chiapas.

Stratigraphy: La Quinta Formation.

Age: Early–middle Miocene.

 Reconstruction of flowers, leaf, and whole plant of Hymenaea clade in the Mexican amber. (A) Hymenaea mexicana (Poinar and Brown, 2002), scale bar = 5.0 mm. (B) A bifoliate leaf of H. mexicana, scale bar = 5.0 mm. (C) Hymenaea allendis, scale bar = 5.0 mm. (Calvillo-Canadell et al., 2010). (D) Hypothetical Hymenaea clade tree, scale bar=1.0 m.
(E) Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae, scale bar=5.0 mm. (F) Details of brochidodromous secondary veins and abundant translucid glands of Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae, scale bar = 2.0 mm.

 Drawings by Aldo Domínguez de la Torre.

Conclusions: 

Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae n. gen. n. sp. from Mexican amber is evidence of a geological history of Leguminosae in the Neotropical region during the early–middle Miocene. Foliar characteristics such as leaflets with asymmetrical bases, brochidodromous secondary veins, and translucent gland dots support its inclusion into Detarioideae, especially into the Hymenaea clade, whose members are resin-producing trees. However, it is uncertain how this new species relates to the known extant genera of the clade (Hymenaea, Guibourtia, Peltogyne) due to the remarkable similarity of their foliar architecture and lack of further morphological evidence. This new extinct member of Detarioideae supports the extension of the Boreotropical Flora into the low latitude of North America. However, evidence from other groups of plants suggests that the Boreotropical biogeographic route is essential in extending the distribution of tropical plants into low-latitude North America.

 Ana L. Hernández-Damián, Marco A. Rubalcava-Knoth and Sergio R.S. Cevallos-Ferriz. 2024. A New extinct Member of the Resin Producer Group of the Mexican Amber: Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae n. gen. n. sp. (Detarioideae-Leguminosae). Palaeoworld. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.palwor.2024.04.004

[PaleoEntomology • 2024] Burmogerris rarus • Group Mating in Cretaceous Water Striders (Gerromorpha: Gerroidea)

Burmogerris rarus  

 Fu, Cai, Chen, Xuan, Myint & Huang, 2024

DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2546

 

Abstract

Fossilized mating insects are irreplaceable material for comprehending the evolution of the mating behaviours and life-history traits in the deep-time record of insects as well as the potential sexual conflict. However, cases of mating pairs are particularly rare in fossil insects, especially aquatic or semi-aquatic species. Here, we report the first fossil record of a group of water striders in copulation (including three pairs and a single adult male) based on fossils from the mid-Cretaceous of northern Myanmar. The new taxon, Burmogerris gen. nov., likely represents one of the oldest cases of insects related to the marine environment, such as billabongs formed by the tides. It exhibits conspicuous dimorphism associated with sexual conflict: the male is equipped with a specialized protibial comb as a grasping apparatus, likely representing an adaptation to overcome female resistance during struggles. The paired Burmogerris show smaller males riding on the backs of the females, seemingly recording a scene of copulatory struggles between the sexes. Our discovery reveals a mating system dominated by males and sheds light on the potential sexual conflicts of Burmogerris in the Cretaceous. It indicates the mating behaviour remained stable over long-term geological time in these water-walking insects.

Keywords: mating behaviour, group mating fossil, sexual conflict, Myanmar amber, palaeoecology

 

 The paired water striders Burmogerris rarus gen. et sp. nov., from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, under bright-field microscopy.
(a) An overall view of the amber piece; red and blue arrows indicate adult males and females, respectively; the middle pair consists of the holotype (NIGP201886, male) and the allotype (NIGP201887, female). (b) Paratypes, NIGP201888 and NIGP201889. (c) Paratypes, NIGP201890 and NIGP201891.

 Scale bars: 5 mm in (a), 1 mm in (b,c).

Systematic palaeontology

Infraorder Gerromorpha Popov, 1971

Superfamily Gerroidea Leach, 1815

Family incertae sedis

Burmogerris Fu, Cai, Chen & Huang, gen. nov.

 

 Etymology: The generic name is a combination of the prefix ‘Burma-’ referring to Myanmar, and Gerris, the type genus of the family Gerridae. Gender masculine.

  Diagnosis: The genus is characterized by a combination of the following characters: macropterous; head without median impressed line on the dorsal surface (a typical median line on the dorsal surface of head in veliids); antennal segment II elongate, slightly shorter than segment I and more than twice as long as two apical segments, segment IV widened, less spindle-shaped. All tarsi three-segmented (two-segmented in all gerrids), first tarsomere extremely short, subcylindrical; forelegs prolonged, almost as long as body length; male protibia bearing numerous discontinuous clusters of pegs (absent in male gerrids); protarsus more than one-half length of the protibia, with second tarsomere about 1.20 times as long as the apical tarsomere; mesotibia bearing a row of long and slender trichobothria-like hairs; mesofemur as long as or slightly longer than the mesotibia; mesotibia almost as long as the mesotarsus; metatarsus with the second tarsomere much longer than the apical tarsomere; claws inserted on the apex of apical tarsomere; arolia absent.

Burmogerris rarus Fu, Cai, Chen & Huang, sp. nov.

 Etymology: The specific epithet ‘rarus’ (Latin, adjective, meaning rare) refers to some odd morphological characters and its rare existence.

 Ecological reconstruction of Burmogerris rarus gen. et sp. nov. in the Burmese amber forests during the mid-Cretaceous.

  reconstructive illustration by Jie Sun.

Yanzhe Fu, Chenyang Cai, Pingping Chen, Qiang Xuan, Tin Aung Myint and Diying Huang. 2024. Group Mating in Cretaceous Water Striders. Proc. R. Soc. B. 291: 20232546. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2546

[PaleoEntomology • 2024] Nannotanyderus granieri • A New fossil psychodomorphan Fly from Lower Barremian Lebanese Amber elucidates the relationship of the Tanyderinae stat. nov. within the Psychodidae

Nannotanyderus granieri 

Azar, Maksoud, Huang, Mounir Maalouf & Cai, 2024

 paleopolis.rediris.es/cg/en-index.html 

Abstract

 A new species, †Nannotanyderus granieri sp. nov., belonging to the Tanyderidae (Diptera, Nematocera), from Lower Barremian amber of Bqaatouta (Lebanon), is characterized, described, figured, and its taxononomic position discussed. The possible confusion regarding the attribution of new fossils to either the Tanyderidae or the Psychodidae, in addition to the results of recent molecular phylogenies, have led us to re-evaluate the taxonomic position of the Tanyderidae and to consider it as a subfamily within the Psychodidae. The fossil described herein is a tiny tanyderine sensu nov. species, and the second one belonging to the genus Nannotanyderus from Lebanese amber. A tentative molecular phylogeny of recent Psychodidae and an exhaustive catalogue of fossil Tanyderinae stat. nov. are provided. 

Keywords: • Diptera; • Tanyderidae; • Psychodidae; • Tanyderinae stat. nov.; • Tanyderini; • Nannotanyderini; • Lower Cretaceous; • Lebanon 

Nannotanyderus granieri sp. nov., holotype, female, specimen number BKT-11A.
A) Habitus, right lateral side. Scale bar: 500 µm. B) Habitus, left lateral side. Scale bar: 500 µm. C) Head photomicrograph with confocal microscope. Scale bar: 100 µm. D) Wing photomicrograph with confocal microscope. Scale bar: 500 µm. E) Female terminalia, photomicrograph with confocal microscope. Scale bar: 50 µm. F) Female terminalia, photomicrograph with compound microscope. Scale bar: 50 µm.

Order DIPTERA LINNAEUS, 1758

Infraorder PSYCHODOMORPHA HENNIG, 1968

Family PSYCHODIDAE NEWMAN, 1834

former family Tanyderidae OSTEN-SACKEN, 1880

Subfamily TANYDERINAE OSTEN-SACKEN, 1880, stat. nov.

former family Tanyderidae OSTEN-SACKEN, 1880

Tribe NANNOTANYDERINI SKIBIŃSKA, 2016, stat. nov.

former subfamily Nannotanyderinae SKIBIŃSKA, 2016

Genus NANNOTANYDERUS ANSORGE, 1994

Type species. Nannotanyderus krzeminskii ANSORGE, 1994, 

Lower Jurassic (Toarcian), Grimmen, Germany.

Nannotanyderus granieri sp. nov.

 

Material. Holotype (specimen BKT-11A), female, part of the MAALOUF collection, Lebanese Lower Cretaceous amber found at the Bqaatouta outcrop, in the Caza (District) of Kesserouan, Central Lebanon. Syninclusions include a spider and a male chirbnomid dipteran. This material is housed in the collections of Natural History Museum of the Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences II, located in Fanar, Lebanon.

Diagnosis. Female only. Head lacking an elongated neck; mouthparts well developed, longer than head, with well-developed sclerotized maxillae. R2 very short, slightly longer than half of R3, with R2+3 about 3 times longer than R2, hooklike at its basal part. Presence of cross-veins mm

and mcu, as well as cell d.

...

Etymology. The species is named after Prof. Bruno GRANIER, whose research has significantly advanced the dating of amber outcrops in Lebanon (e.g., GRANIER et al., 2015, 2016).

 

Dany AZAR, Sibelle MAKSOUD, Di-Ying HUANG, Mounir MAALOUF and Chen-Yang CAI. 2024. A New fossil psychodomorphan Fly from Lower Barremian Lebanese Amber elucidates the relationship of the Tanyderinae stat. nov. within the Psychodidae. Carnets Geol. 23(6); 113-125. DOI: 10.2110/carnets.2024. 2406 

  paleopolis.rediris.es/cg/en-index.html

[PaleoEntomology • 2024] Eunotalia emeryi, Cretotettigarcta shcherbakovi & Pranwanna xiai • Mesozoic Evolution of Cicadas and their Origins of Vocalization and Root Feeding

Life reconstruction of cicadas in a Mesozoic Forest. 
Eunotalia emeryi gen. et sp. nov.
Cretotettigarcta shcherbakovi sp. nov.
Pranwanna xiai gen. et sp. nov.

 Jiang, Szwedo, Labandeira, Chen, Moulds, Mähler, Muscente, Zhuo, Nyunt, Zhang, Wei, Rust & Wang, 2024

 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44446-x

 Reconstructed by Mr. Dinghua Yang

Abstract

Extant cicada (Hemiptera: Cicadoidea) includes widely distributed Cicadidae and relictual Tettigarctidae, with fossils ascribed to these two groups based on several distinct, minimally varying morphological differences that define their extant counterparts. However, directly assigning Mesozoic fossils to modern taxa may overlook the role of unique and transitional features provided by fossils in tracking their early evolutionary paths. Here, based on adult and nymphal fossils from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber of Myanmar, we explore the phylogenetic relationships and morphological disparities of fossil and extant cicadoids. Our results suggest that Cicadidae and Tettigarctidae might have diverged at or by the Middle Jurassic, with morphological evolution possibly shaped by host plant changes. The discovery of tymbal structures and anatomical analysis of adult fossils indicate that mid-Cretaceous cicadas were silent as modern Tettigarctidae or could have produced faint tymbal-related sounds. The discovery of final-instar nymphal and exuviae cicadoid fossils with fossorial forelegs and piercing-sucking mouthparts indicates that they had most likely adopted a subterranean lifestyle by the mid-Cretaceous, occupying the ecological niche of underground feeding on root. Our study traces the morphological, behavioral, and ecological evolution of Cicadoidea from the Mesozoic, emphasizing their adaptive traits and interactions with their living environments.

Adults, final instar nymph, and exuviae of Cicadoidea fossils in Kachin amber of northern Myanmar.
 a Eunotalia emeryi gen. et sp. nov. (MGM2016–014). This image was published in the study by ref. 41 (Fig. 3a). b Cretotettigarcta problematica comb. nov. (new material: NIGP201895). c Cretotettigarcta shcherbakovi sp. nov. (NIGP201896). d Vetuprosbole parallelica (new material: NIGP201897).
e–i Pranwanna xiai gen. et sp. nov. (LYU–BC2001, male; LYU–BC2002, female). e Dorsal view of male. f Dorsal view of female. g Ventral view of male. h Ventral view of female. i Left view of final-instar nymph, Cicadoidea species 1 (NIGP2018985).
j–m Final- nymphal exuviae. j Nymphal sp. 2 (MGM2016–017), left view. k Nymphal sp. 3 (LYU–BC2004), right view. l Nymphal sp. 4 (NIGP201900), ventral view. m Nymphal sp. 5 (NIGP201901), left view.

Stem cicadoids

Eunotalia gen. nov.

  Eunotalia emeryi sp. nov.  

Etymology: The generic name is a compound form, from Classical Greek prefix: eu-, meaning ‘true’ or ‘good’, and notos, meaning ‘back’ or ‘dorsum’.

Stem cicadids

Cretotettigarcta

Cretotettigarcta problematica comb. nov.

Cretotettigarcta shcherbakovi sp. nov.

Pranwanna gen. nov 

 Pranwanna xiai sp. nov.

Etymology: The generic name, pranwanna, is from the Jingpho language spoken in Kachin State of Myanmar, meaning ‘primitive’.

Hui Jiang, Jacek Szwedo, Conrad C. Labandeira, Jun Chen, Maxwell S. Moulds, Bastian Mähler, A. Drew Muscente, De Zhuo, Thet Tin Nyunt, Haichun Zhang, Cong Wei, Jes Rust and Bo Wang. 2024. Mesozoic Evolution of Cicadas and their Origins of Vocalization and Root Feeding. Nature Communications. 15, 376.  DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44446-x

[Paleontology • 2023] Metacirolana jimlowryi & Cirolana madelinae • A New Species of Metacirolana Kussakin, 1978 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cirolanidae) from Cretaceous Amber of Myanmar, Electrolana a junior synonym of Cirolana Leach, 1818

Metacirolana jimlowryi Bruce & Rodcharoen, 2023 sp. nov. 
 Cirolana madelinae (Schädel, Hyžny & Haug, 2021) comb. nov.

 journals.australian.museum

  facebook.com/EknarinRodcharoen

 

Abstract

Electrolana madelinae Schädel, Hyžny & Haug, 2021 was described from two excellently preserved isopod specimens from ca. 40-million-year-old amber from Myanmar. Appraisal of the two specimens and their comparison to extant genera and species of Cirolanidae show that the genus Electrolana Schädel, Hyžny & Haug, 2021 is a junior synonym of Cirolana Leach, 1818, and that the holotype and paratype represent two distinct species. The holotype is placed in the combination Cirolana madelinae (Schädel, Hyžny & Haug, 2021) comb. nov., and the paratype, a species of Metacirolana Kussakin, 1979, is here diagnosed and named Metacirolana jimlowryi sp. nov. Brunnaega roeperi Polz, 2005 is transferred to Cirolana roeperi (Polz, 2005) comb. nov.

Metacirolana jimlowryi sp. nov.:
A, dorsal view; B, pereopod 1; C, pereopod 6 (pereopod perspective partly reconstructed).

Drawn from Schädel et al. (2021).

Cirolana madelinae (Schädel, Hyzny & Haug, 2021), comb. nov.:
A, dorsal view; B, pereopod 1; C, pereopod 6 (partly reconstructed).

 Drawn from Schädel et al. (2021).

DOI: 10.1590/2358-2936e2021003

Niel L. Bruce and Eknarin Rodcharoen. 2023. Electrolana Schädel, Hyžný & Haug, 2021 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cirolanidae), a junior synonym of Cirolana Leach, 1818 and A New Species of Metacirolana Kussakin, 1978 from Cretaceous Amber of Myanmar. Records of the Australian Museum. DOI: 10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.188

 journals.australian.museum/bruce-2023-rec-aust-mus-754-405412

facebook.com/EknarinRodcharoen/posts/10225489891657666

  facebook.com/100077605126095/posts/375494278380740

https://journals.australian.museum/?journal=1&title=&author=&year=2023&keyword=

Researchgate.net/publication/348776157__the_first_record_of_aquatic_Isopoda_in_Cretaceous_amber_from_Myanmar

[Paleontology • 2019] Burmanopetalum inexpectatum • Dwarfs under Dinosaur Legs: A New Millipede of the Order Callipodida (Diplopoda) from Cretaceous Amber of Burma

Burmanopetalum inexpectatum

Stoev, Moritz & Wesener, 2019

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.841.34991

Abstract

The entire Mesozoic Era is rather poor in millipede (class Diplopoda) fossils, with less than a dozen species being taxonomically described. Here, we describe the first fossil millipede of the order Callipodida, Burmanopetalum inexpectatum gen. nov. et sp. nov., found in early Cenomanian amber of Burma, 98.79±0.62 Mya. The species possesses a number of morphological traits that exclude it from all extant suborders, and Burmanopetalidea suborder nov. and Burmanopetalidae fam. nov. are here erected to accommodate it. The new suborder can be recognized by the following unique characters: pleurotergal setae absent; telson with a specific spatulate shape twice the size of the penultimate body ring; hypoproct devoid of setae; and eyes composed of five well-separated ommatidia. While the callipodidan habitus seems to have remained generally unchanged for at least 99 million years, pleurotergal and hypoproctal setation, as well as the complexity of eyes in ground-dwelling forms may have evolved recently in the order. As B. inexpectatum gen. nov. et sp. nov. is the first true callipodidan in the fossil record, the minimum age of Callipodida is thus at least 99 Mya.

Keywords: Burmanopetalidea suborder nov., Burmanopetalidae fam. nov., Burmanopetalum inexpectatum gen. nov. et sp. nov., Cenomanian, Mesozoic.

Burmanopetalum inexpectatum gen. nov. et sp. nov., female holotype (ZFMK-MYR07366)
A habitus B head, anterior-most body rings and vulvae, anterior view C antennae, lateral view D pleurotergal crests ornamentation, lateral view E telson, lateral view F legs, dorsolateral view G apical part of vulva, lateral view H basal part of vulva, lateral view.

Burmanopetalum inexpectatum gen. nov. et sp. nov., female holotype (ZFMK-MYR07366), volume rendering
A habitus B head, collum and pleurotergite 2, lateral view C head, anterior view D Gnathochilarium, ventral view E midbody body ring, dorsoposterior view F telson, and the last 3 pleurotergites, lateral view G same, ventral view.

Systematic palaeontology

Class Diplopoda de Blainville in Gervais, 1844

Subclass Chilognatha Latreille, 1802/1803

Infraclass Helminthomorpha Pocock, 1887

Superorder Nematophora Verhoeff, 1913

Order Callipodida Pocock, 1894

Suborder †Burmanopetalidea suborder nov.

Diagnosis: Body less than 10 mm, composed of 35 body rings (including collum and two apodous body rings) and telson. Eyes composed of five ommatidia situated in two rows (3+2). Body rings cylindrical, with fused tergites and pleurites and free sternites. Pleurotergites composed of smooth prozonites and carinate metazonites, latter being greater in diameter than prozonites. Pleurotergal crests most pronounced from 3rd to 8th pleurotergite. Pleurotergal setae absent; telson spatulate, twice the size of the penultimate body ring; hypoproct tripartite, devoid of setae.

The suborder comprises one family: †Burmanopetalidae fam. nov.

Family †Burmanopetalidae fam. nov.

  

Genus † Burmanopetalum gen. nov.

 

Etymology: From “Burma”, the country of origin, and “-petalum” a frequent generic termination in Callipodida. Gender: neuter.

Diagnosis: Differs from all extant genera of Callipodida by its minute size (less than 1 cm in length), lack of pleurotergal setae, and its spatulate telson being twice the size of the penultimate body ring. Eyes composed of five ommatidia.

†Burmanopetalum inexpectatum sp. nov.

  

Diagnosis: As for the suborder, family and genus. Species further characterized by antennomeres III–V strongly conical (infundibular), VI and VII subrectangular; metazonites with 28 more or less well-developed narrow, subparallel crests, well-separated from one another, poriferous crests missing.

Etymology: "inexpectatum" in Latin means "unexpected" referring to the stunning discovery of just a single specimen among the 529 millipede specimens so far found in Burmese amber. The species epithet is an adjective.

Locality and horizon: Burmese amber, early Cenomanian, 98.79±0.62 Mya (Shi et al. 2012) from the Noije Bum amber mine, Hukawng Valley, Kachin State, northern Myanmar.

 Pavel Stoev, Leif Moritz and Thomas Wesener. 2019. Dwarfs under Dinosaur Legs: A New Millipede of the Order Callipodida (Diplopoda) from Cretaceous Amber of Burma. ZooKeys. 841: 79-96. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.841.34991