Early Cretaceous Amber Research Articles

The Wasp Family Embolemidae in Early Cretaceous Amber from Spain (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea)

The chrysidoid wasp family Embolemidae (Chrysidoidea: Dryiniformes) is recorded in Early Cretaceous (Albian) amber from Penacerrada (Spain). Embolemus periallus Ortega-Blanco, Delclos, and Engel, new species, is the first definitive embolemid in Cretaceous amber and the first definitive record of the family from the Mesozoic. The new taxon is described, illustrated, and compared with its modern counterparts. The geological history of the family is reviewed and the putative placement of the Early Cretaceous genus Baissobius briefly discussed.

The earliest earwigs in amber (Dermaptera): A new genus and species from the Early Cretaceous of Lebanon

AbstractRhadinolabis phoenicica Engel, Ortega-Blanco & Azar gen. et sp.n. is described and figured from two female earwigs preserved in Early Cretaceous amber from Lebanon, representing the oldest Dermaptera in amber. In addition a partial nymph is recorded from the same deposits. The placement of the genus among Neodermaptera is briefly discussed.

Serphitid wasps in Early Cretaceous amber from Spain (Hymenoptera: Serphitidae)

The diversity of serphitid wasps (Proctotrupomorpha: Serphitoidea) in Early Cretaceous (Albian) amber from Spain is described. Four new species have been found representing the genera Serphites Brues 1937, Aposerphites Kozlov and Rasnitsyn 1979, and Microserphites Kozlov and Rasnitsyn 1979. From the Peñacerrada I (Moraza) outcrop two species are described as Aposerphites angustus Ortega-Blanco, Delclòs, Peñalver and Engel, new species and Serphites lamiak, new species. A single species was found at the San Just (Teruel) outcrop and is described as S. silban, new species. Another single specimen was found in El Soplao (Cantabria) outcrop, described as Microserphites soplaensis, new species. This last specimen is especially interesting in sharing typical serphitid and mymarommatoid characters, giving additional support to the apparent close relationship of both groups.

Review of the El Soplao Amber Outcrop, Early Cretaceous of Cantabria, Spain

Abstract:El Soplao outcrop, an Early Cretaceous amber deposit recently discovered in northern Spain (Cantabria), has been shown to be the largest site of amber with arthropod inclusions that has been found in Spain so far. Relevant data provided herein for biogeochemistry of the amber, palynology, taphonomy and arthropod bioinclusions complement those previously published. This set of data suggests at least two botanical sources for the amber of El Soplao deposit. The ñrst (type A amber) strongly supports a source related to Cheirolepidiaceae, and the second (type B amber) shows non‐specific conifer biomarkers. Comparison of molecular composition of type A amber with Frenelopsis leaves (Cheirolepidiaceae) strongly suggests a biochemical affinity and a common botanical origin. A preliminary palynologlcal study indicates a regional high taxonomical diversity, mainly of pteridophyte spores and gymnosperm pollen grains. According to the preliminary palynologlcal data, the region was inhabited by conifer forests adapted to a dry season under a subtropical climate. The abundant charcoalified wood associated with the amber in the same beds is evidence of paleofires that most likely promoted both the resin production and an intensive erosion of the litter, and subsequent great accumulation of amber plus plant cuticles. In addition, for the first time in the fossil record, charcoalified plant fibers as bioinclusions in amber are reported. Other relevant taphonomic data are the exceptional presence of serpulids and bryozoans on the surfaces of some amber pieces indicating both a long exposure on marine or brackish‐water and a mixed assemblage of amber. Lastly, new findings of insect bioinclusions, some of them uncommon in the fossil record or showing remarkable adaptations, are reported. In conclusion, a documented scenario for the origin of the El Soplao amber outcrop is provided.

A New Family of Ceraphronoid Wasps from Early Cretaceous Álava Amber, Spain

Radiophronidae, a new ceraphronoid fossil family including two new genera and species, is described here from the Early Cretaceous (Albian) amber from the Basque Cantabrian Basin (Spain). Radiophron ibericus gen. et sp. nov. and Microcostaphron parvus gen. et sp. nov. are described from eight and one specimens respectively. The new fossils show some similarities with the extinct family Stigmaphronidae but are distinguished from it and the extant ceraphronoids mainly by the presence of not fused radial and costal veins, among other characteristics. A first cladistic analysis retrieves Radiophronidae as the basal sister-group to all other ceraphronoids (Ceraphronidae, Megaspilidae, and Stigmaphronidae).

Mammalian hairs in Early Cretaceous amber

Two mammalian hairs have been found in association with an empty puparium in a approximately 100-million-year-old amber (Early Cretaceous) from France. Although hair is known to be an ancestral, ubiquitous feature in the crown Mammalia, the structure of Mesozoic hair has never been described. In contrast to fur and hair of some Jurassic and Cretaceous mammals preserved as carbonized filaments, the exceptional preservation of the fossils described here allows for the study of the cuticular structure. Results show the oldest direct evidence of hair with a modern scale pattern. This discovery implies that the morphology of hair cuticula may have remained unchanged throughout most of mammalian evolution. The association of these hairs with a possible fly puparium provides paleoecological information and indicates peculiar taphonomic conditions.

Primitive Termites in Cretaceous Amber from Spain and Canada (Isoptera)

The first termites in Early Cretaceous (Albian) amber from Spain are described and figured. Morazatermes krishnai Engel and Delclòs, new genus and species, is described from an imago (and wings of a second specimen) preserved in fossiliferous resin from Moraza, Burgos Province. A second termite species, Cantabritermes simplex Engel and Delclòs, new genus and species, is also recorded from the same deposits but is presently known only from the forewing. Similarly, an isolated forewing in amber from San Just, Teruel Province is described as Aragonitermes teruelensis Engel and Delclòs, new genus and species. Lastly, the first termite in Late Cretaceous (Campanian) amber from Grassy Lake, near Medicine Hat, Canada is described from a fragmentary imago lacking wings or much of the body. All of these taxa belong to a primitive grade of unassigned termites between Mastotermitidae and the families Termopsidae, Hodotermitidae, and Archotermopsidae (sensu Engel et al., 2009). Notes are appended on the recently described “Kalotermes” burmensis Poinar, from the latest Albian of Myanmar (Burmese amber), and the species transferred to Kachinitermopsis Engel and Delclòs, new genus, resulting in the new combination, Kachinitermopsis burmensis. These new taxa highlight the diversity of primitive termites during the Cretaceous.

A new genus of sphaeropsocid bark lice from the Early Cretaceous amber of Lebanon (Psocodea: Sphaeropsocidae)

A new genus and species of sphaeropsocid bark louse is described and figured from a single individual in Early Cretaceous amber from Hammana, central Lebanon. Asphaeropsocites neli gen. n., sp. n. is the second sphaeropsocid described from Lebanese amber. Like Sphaeropsocites lebanensis Grimaldi & Engel 2006, it has a basal phylogenetic position within Sphaeropsocidae, and adds evidence that these insects were once widespread and global, in the past. The new species is distinguished from related taxa, and a discussion and checklist of sphaeropsocids are provided.

Modern thrips families Thripidae and Phlaeothripidae in Early Cretaceous amber (Insecta: Thysanoptera)

Two specimens of Thysanoptera with forked sensilla on third and fourth antennal segments were described from the Lebanese Neocomian and the Spanish Albian ambers, and attributed to the new genus Tethysthrips n. gen. in the family Thripidae Stevens 1829. One specimen with a tubular tenth abdominal segment was also discovered in the Lebanese Neocomian amber, and attributed to the new genus Rohrthrips n. gen. belonging to the family Phlaeothripidae Uzel 1895. Thripidae and Phlaeothripidae are nowadays the most species-rich families of Thysanoptera. The present discoveries of Early Cretaceous fossils show how diversified these families and thrips already were at that time. Moreover, this tubuliferan Rohrthrips specimen has plesiomorphies no longer present in the recent genera, in particular on the wings. Therefore it brings new insight in the evolution of Tubulifera.

Hispanothrips from Early Cretaceous Spanish amber, a new genus of the resurrected family Stenurothripidae (Insecta: Thysanoptera)

During a palaeontological excavation of amber at the site named San Just, in the Utrillas-Escucha area of Teruel Province, northeastern Spain, a rich fauna from the Albian (Early Cretaceous) was discovered. Among it, three specimens of Thysanoptera were found that are here attributed to the new genus Hispanothrips n. gen. in the family Stenurothripidae Bagnall 1923. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted that support the resurrection of the family Stenurothripidae and its replacement for Adiheterothripidae Shumsher 1946.

First report of amber with spider webs and microbial inclusions from the earliest Cretaceous ( c . 140 Ma) of Hastings, Sussex

Abstract: Early Cretaceous amber resins with macroscopic inclusions are extremely rare, as are ambers with inclusions from the parent plant. Here, we report earliest Cretaceous amber resins found within alluvial soils of the Ashdown Formation near Hastings in Sussex. In contrast to younger Cretaceous examples, this Hastings amber was arguably deposited shortly before the emergence of the earliest flowering plant communities c . 140 Ma BP. Preliminary studies reveal plentiful organic inclusions, including vascular tissues, tracheid cells and putative resin ducts of the parent coniferous trees. We also report remarkably preserved soil microbes, including structures comparable with actinobacterial colonies, putative fungal or cyanobacterial filaments, and the earliest examples of spider silk webs. The last includes threads that are twisted, paired and coated with sticky fluid droplets, comparable with those of araneoid spider webs studied by us in modern cherry tree resins. Together, these Hastings amber inclusions became entombed within resins that seeped through the charred bark of coniferous trees subjected to severe fire damage, whose logs were then swept onto fluvial wetlands by floods. Embalming resins of this kind may have evolved to combat damage associated with insects, fungi and widespread forest fires.

A Primitive Aphidiine Wasp in Albian Amber from Spain and a Northern Hemisphere Origin for the Subfamily (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae)

A description of a new genus and species of braconid, Archephedrus stolamissus, from Early Cretaceous (Albian) amber from Moraza-Penacerrada I (Spain) is here provided. This is the first fossil Aphidiinae described in Cretaceous amber. The fossil has some typical characters of the subfamily but possesses a unique assemblage of characters among aphidiines, such as a fairly robust abdomen, with a more pronounced articulation between the first and second, instead of the second and third, metasomal segments, as well as several wing venational traits. The distribution of this and other aphidiine fossils, as well as their putative phylogenetic placement as basal among Aphidiinae, is discussed, supporting a Northern rather than Southern Hemisphere origin for the lineage.

Gregarious behaviour in Cretaceous earwig nymphs (Insecta, Dermaptera) from southwestern France

The first earwigs in Early Cretaceous (latest Albian) amber from southwestern France are described and figured. The amber piece in question, ARC-240, contains a complete earwig nymph as well as three partial nymphs preserved in a single piece of fossiliferous resin from Archingeay (Charente-Maritime, France). The morphology of the nymphs is discussed in relation to their possible taxonomic placement as well as their developmental stage. The preservation of so many nymphs in a single piece is curious and comments about the gregarious nature of modern earwigs in relation to the fossil are provided.

First discovery of Neazoniidae (Insecta, Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha) in the Early Cretaceous amber of Archingeay, SW France

Th e extinct genus and species of planthopper family Neazoniidae, Akmazeina santonorum n. gen., n. sp., are described. Th is is the fi rst record of the family in the Lower Cretaceous French amber of Archingeay. Th e new genus diff ers from Neazonia Szwedo, 2007 in subtriangular vertex, wider trigons; sensory pits only in upper portion of frons, fused submedian carinae, diverging only in upper portion of frons, slightly elevated disc of pronotum, delimited by semicircular carinae, hind tibia with distinct, knee lateral tooth. Th e phylogenetic relationships of Neazoniidae and some other planthoppers families as well as their ecological affi nities are discussed.

The early evolution of feathers: fossil evidence from Cretaceous amber of France

The developmental stages of feathers are of major importance in the evolution of body covering and the origin of avian flight. Until now, there were significant gaps in knowledge of early morphologies in theoretical stages of feathers as well as in palaeontological material. Here we report fossil evidence of an intermediate and critical stage in the incremental evolution of feathers which has been predicted by developmental theories but hitherto undocumented by evidence from both the recent and the fossil records. Seven feathers have been found in an Early Cretaceous (Late Albian, ca 100 Myr) amber of western France, which display a flattened shaft composed by the still distinct and incompletely fused bases of the barbs forming two irregular vanes. Considering their remarkably primitive features, and since recent discoveries have yielded feathers of modern type in some derived theropod dinosaurs, the Albian feathers from France might have been derived either from an early bird or from a non-avian dinosaur.

The nature and fate of natural resins in the geosphere XIII: a probable pinaceous resin from the early Cretaceous (Barremian), Isle of Wight

Terpenoid resin is produced by all families and most genera of the order Coniferales (the conifers), and the distribution of terpenes present in most conifer resins is characteristic of the originating family. Analyses of early Cretaceous (Barremian) amber (fossil resin) from the English Wealden, Isle of Wight, southern England, by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), indicate a terpene distribution dominated by abietane- and labdane-type terpenes. Similar distributions are observed in some species of the extant family Pinaceae. The Pinaceae are well represented within the Wealden deposits of southern England, by only one (known) species, Pityites solmsii (Seward) Seward, whereas the macro-fossil record of these deposits is dominated by the extinct conifer family Cheirolepidiaceae, for which no resin chemistry has been reported. By analogy with modern materials, it is probable that the ambers found in these deposits are derived from an extinct member of the Pinaceae, but given the absence of evidence concerning the chemotaxonomy of the Cheirolepidiaceae, this family cannot be excluded a priori as a possible paleobotanical source. These ambers may therefore be assigned to either the Pinaceae or to the Cheirolepidiaceae. These samples are the oldest ambers to date to yield useful chemotaxonomic data.

Paramesopsocidae, a new Mesozoic psocid family (Insecta: Psocodea “Psocoptera”: Psocomorpha)

Paramesopsocus lu n. gen., n. sp. and Paramesopsocus adibi n. sp. are respectively described from the Early Cretaceous amber of Lebanon and from the Late Jurassic limestone of Karatau (Kazakhstan). They are placed within the suborder Psocomorpha, and in the Mesozoic extinct family Paramesopsocidae n. fam. A cladistic phylogeny for Psocomorpha is given including our fossil taxa. The discovery of these new taxa demonstrates the necessity of a deep cladistic redefinition of the currently admitted major subdivisions of this suborder.

Evidence of mycoparasitism and hypermycoparasitism in Early Cretaceous amber

Evidence of mycoparasitism and hypermycoparasitism is demonstrated in Early Cretaceous Burmese amber. The agaric, Palaeoagaracites antiquus gen. sp. nov., is parasitized by the mycoparasite, Mycetophagites atrebora gen. sp. nov., which in turn is parasitized by the hyperparasite, Entropezites patricii gen. sp. nov. This discovery shows that sophisticated patterns of fungal parasitism were well developed some 100 Myrago.

Early Cretaceous Snakefly Larvae in Amber from Lebanon, Myanmar, and France (Raphidioptera)

Snakefly (Raphidioptera) larvae are newly documented from the Early Cretaceous ambers of Lebanon, Myanmar (Burma), and France. Previously only two Cretaceous larvae had been documented, one in Late Cretaceous (Turonian) amber from New Jersey and another in Early Cretaceous (Albian) amber from Myanmar. The specimens discussed herein are likely representative of the extinct family Mesoraphidiidae, but definitive familial assignment is currently not possible. The new fossil material is described and placed into context with the known larval morphology of modern and fossil species, as well as with the geological history of the order as documented by the remains of adults.

The First Cretaceous Sclerogibbid Wasp (Hymenoptera: Sclerogibbidae)

The first record of a fossil sclerogibbid wasp (Aculeata: Chrysidoidea) is reported. Sclerogibbodes embioleia, new genus and species, is described from a female preserved in Early Cretaceous (Neocomian) amber from Lebanon. The genus is sister to all other members of the Sclerogibbidae and is therefore placed in a monogeneric subfamily, Sclerogibbodinae, new subfamily. Sclerogibbids are obligate parasitoids of webspinners (order Embiodea 5 Embiidina, Embioptera), and thus the recovery of this lineage from Lebanese amber implies that webspinners were perhaps also present in the paleofauna.