Cretaceous inclusions in Burmese amber throw a new light on the evolution of the Meropeidae (Mecoptera)

Abstract

The family Meropidae is a small, strongly relict group of scorpionflies (Mecoptera), comprising six species: three fossil and three recent ones. A characteristic feature of the family is the forceps of the male genitalia which resemble the cerci of Dermaptera. A male of a recently described Cretaceous species Burmomerope clara Zhao and Wang, 2016 is herein described for the first time based on a well-preserved fossil from Burmese amber of mid-Cretaceous age. Another specimen, a well preserved female of. B. clara enables the description of additional characters of the body which allows an emended diagnosis of this species to be made. Based on the new specimens, a phylogenetic analysis of the family Meropeidae was made and the phylogenetic relationships within the family are discussed.