An earwig (Insecta: Dermaptera) in Early Cretaceous amber from Spain

Abstract

The order Dermaptera (earwigs) is recorded for the first time from the Early Cretaceous ambers of Spain. Autrigonoforceps iberica Engel et Peris gen. et sp. n. is described and figured from a single, putative ♀ preserved in Albian amber from Peñacerrada I. Due to its trimerous tarsi and the absence of ocelli, the placement of the new fossil within the Neodermaptera is clear. Although it seems close to Labiduridae, its confident placement in any family is impossible given the limited visibility of several critical characters. The species is compared with the labidurid Myrrholabia from mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar.