Early Cretaceous Burmese Amber Research Articles

Isolation of yeast Ca2+ signal transduction inhibitors from the Early Cretaceous Burmese amber

Two kinds of biologically active compounds were isolated from the MeOH extract of the Early Cretaceous Burmese amber [99 million years ago (Ma)], which is older than the K-Pg boundary (65 Ma). These compounds had inhibitory activity against the hypersensitive mutant yeast strain (zds1∆ erg3∆ pdr1∆ pdr3∆) with respect to Ca2+ signal transduction. They were identified as 16,17-bisnordehydroabietic acid (1) and 16,17-bisnorcallitrisic acid (2), respectively, on the basis of spectral analyses including HREIMS, 1D, and 2D NMR. Both have faint growth restoring activities around the clear inhibition zone against the mutant yeast on the 0.31–0.16 μg/spot. This is the first report of direct structural elucidation of 1 and 2 and the biologically active compounds derived from Burmese amber.

A new stem-coenagrionoid genus of damselflies (Odonata: Zygoptera) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber.

A new genus and species of damselfly, Burmagrion marjanmatoki, gen. et sp. nov., is described from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber. It is attributed to the basal stem group of Coenagrionoidea. The inclusion of five wings from the same species suggests that the amber piece contains the remains of a mating pair of damselflies.

Burmaphlebia reifi gen. et sp. nov., the first anisozygopteran damsel-dragonfly (Odonata: Epiophlebioptera: Burmaphlebiidae fam. nov.) from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber

A new family, genus and species of damselfly, Burmaphlebia reifi gen. et sp. nov. (Burmaphlebiidae fam. nov.), is described as the second fossil odonate from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber. Its phylogenetic position is discussed and the fossil is attributed to a new family at the base of the anisozygopteran grade, probably closely related to the Recent relict group Epiophlebiidae. It is the first record of the ‘anisozygopteran’ grade from amber and the smallest known representative of this group.http://zoobank.org/6EFE7288-BD89-42F9-BFA5-804CE6B904A6

Predatory behaviour of the social orb-weaver spider, Geratonephila burmanica n. gen., n. sp. (Araneae: Nephilidae) with its wasp prey, Cascoscelio incassus n. gen., n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) in Early Cretaceous Burmese amber

The present work shows predatory behaviour of the social orb-weaver spider, Geratonephila burmanica n. gen., n. sp. (Araneae: Nephilidae) against a parasitic wasp, Cascoscelio incassus n. gen., n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) in Early Cretaceous Burmese amber. An adult male and juvenile of G. burmanica in the same web provide the first fossil evidence of sociality in spiders. The spider is characterised by a pedipalp with a hemispherical tegulum, a subtegulum curved at 180°and an apical spiralled embolas-conductor bent approximately 45°at midpoint. The male wasp is characterised by an ocellar tubercle, 12-segmented antennae with a feeble five-segmented clava, thick sensilla trichodea curvata with rounded ends on the claval antennomeres, a short uncus, a short post-marginal vein and a nebulose radial sector (Rs) vein extending from the uncus to the costal margin of the forewing. This is the first fossil evidence of spider sociality and a fossil spider attacking prey trapped in its web.

Vetuformosa buckleyi n. gen., n. sp. (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae; Vetuformosinae n. subfam.), a new subfamily of mayflies in Early Cretaceous Burmese amber

A new subfamily, genus and species of mayflies, Vetuformosa buckleyi n. gen., n. sp. (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae; Vetuformosinae n. subfam.), are described as the first representative of the family Baetidae from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber. The female fossil is characterised by unusually long antennae, two pairs of gonostyli representing a primitive appendiculate ovipositor, sensory patches on sternites 8, 9 and 10, protuberances on the egg chorion and the absence of a costal projection on the hind wing. This is the first documentation of such long antennae and a primary ovipositor in the Ephemeroptera.

Protoresinacarus brevipedis gen. n., sp. n. from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber: the first fossil record of mites of the Family Resinacaridae (Acari: Heterostigmata: Pyemotoidea)

A new genus and species of mites, Protoresinacarus brevipedis gen. n., sp. n. (Acari: Heterostigmata: Pyemotoidea), is described from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber. This represents the first fossil record of a member of the family Resinacaridae. It is represented by 21 phoretic females adjacent to an adult mantidfly (Neuroptera: Mantispidae). This is the first record of phoresy of pyemotid mites on members of the insect order Neuroptera. The fossil mites differ from extant members of the family in possessing distinctly shorter legs I, which do not reach beyond the apex of the gnathosoma, and by the long setae v 1, v 2 and c 2.

Cascoplecia insolitis (Diptera: Cascopleciidae), a new family, genus, and species of flower-visiting, unicorn fly (Bibionomorpha) in Early Cretaceous Burmese amber

Cascoplecia insolitis (Cascopleciidae), a new family, genus, and species of Bibionomorpha are described from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber. The new family is characterized by the following combination of characters: small size (wing length, 3.2 mm); head reduced, deflexed; antennomeres 2–12 sinuate; three ocelli raised on an extended horn-like protuberance; mouthparts reduced except for well developed maxillary palps with elongate terminal palpomere; femora long; all tibiae with apical spines; pulvilli and empodia pad-like, setose; Sc terminates at half wing length; r-m crossvein located before middle of wing; R 2 + 3 longer than Rs; R 4 + 5 more than twice the length of Rs; bRs longer than dRs. The fossil presents an interesting combination of strongly canalized (conserved) and de-canalized (specialized) characters. Pollen grains associated with the tarsi show that Cascoplecia was a flower-visitor that probably pollinated angiosperms in the Burmese amber forest.

Palaeoleptus burmanicus n. gen., n. sp., an Early Cretaceous shore bug (Hemiptera: Palaeoleptidae n. fam.) in Burmese amber

Palaeoleptus burmanicus gen. et sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Leptopodomorpha: Palaeoleptidae fam. nov.) is described from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber. The fossil is characterized by nearly completely coreaceous wings with only a small membranous area at the distal tip, and a unique wing venation consisting of eight closed cells, including four obliquely orientated toward the embolar wing margin and two large vertically-positioned cells extending nearly to the apical wing margin. Additional characters are large, compound eyes, three pairs of cephalic trichobothria, four antennal segments all similar in texture, spines on the profemur, ocelli positioned on a tubercle and a rostrum extending to the mesocoxae, with the second segment bearing four pairs of spines. The female fossil contains an asymmetrical subgenital plate orientated toward the left side of the body, indicating a side-by-side mating behavior as occurs in extant Leptopodomorpha.

Description of an early Cretaceous termite (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) and its associated intestinal protozoa, with comments on their co-evolution

BackgroundThe remarkable mutualistic associations between termites and protists are in large part responsible for the evolutionary success of these eusocial insects. It is unknown when this symbiosis was first established, but the present study shows that fossil termite protists existed in the Mesozoic.ResultsA new species of termite (Kalotermes burmensis n. sp.) in Early Cretaceous Burmese amber had part of its abdomen damaged, thus exposing trophic stages and cysts of diverse protists. Some protists were still attached to the gut intima while others were in the amber matrix adjacent to the damaged portion. Ten new fossil flagellate species in the Trichomonada, Hypermastigida and Oxymonadea are described in nine new genera assigned to 6 extant families. Systematic placement and names of the fossil flagellates are based on morphological similarities with extant genera associated with lower termites. The following new flagellate taxa are established: Foainites icelus n. gen. n. sp., Spiromastigites acanthodes n. gen. n. sp., Trichonymphites henis n. gen., n. sp., Teranymphites rhabdotis n. gen. n. sp., Oxymonas protus n. sp., Oxymonites gerus n. gen., n. sp., Microrhopalodites polynucleatis n. gen., n. sp., Sauromonites katatonis n. gen., n. sp., Dinenymphites spiris n. gen., n. sp., Pyrsonymphites cordylinis n. gen., n. sp. A new genus of fossil amoeba is also described as Endamoebites proterus n. gen., n. sp. Fourteen additional trophic and encystid protist stages are figured and briefly characterized.ConclusionThis represents the earliest fossil record of mutualism between microorganisms and animals and the first descriptions of protists from a fossil termite. Discovering the same orders, families and possibly genera of protists that occur today in Early Cretaceous kalotermitids shows considerable behaviour and morphological stability of both host and protists. The possible significance of protist cysts associated with the fossil termite is discussed in regards the possibility that coprophagy, as well as proctodeal trophallaxis, was a method by which some termite protozoa were transferred intrastadially and intergenerationally at this time.

Leptoconops nosopheris sp. n. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and Paleotrypanosoma burmanicus gen. n., sp. n. (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), a biting midge - trypanosome vector association from the Early Cretaceous

Leptoconops nosopheris sp. n. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is described from a blood-filled female biting midge in Early Cretaceous Burmese amber. The new species is characterized by a very elongate terminal flagellomere, elongate cerci, and an indistinct spur on the metatibia. This biting midge contained digenetic trypanosomes (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) in its alimentary tract and salivary glands. These trypanosomes are described as Paleotrypanosoma burmanicus gen. n., sp. n., which represents the first fossil record of a Trypanosoma generic lineage.

Pleuroceratos burmiticus, n. gen., n. sp. (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) from Early Cretaceous Burmese Amber

A new genus and species of cucujoid beetle, Pleuroceratos burmiticus Poinar and Kirejtshuk in the Oryzaephilus generic complex of Silvanidae, is described from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber. The new genus is characterized by the head, pronotum and elytra bearing a series of longitudinal costae, large, protruding round eyes, long tri-quadri-dentate mandibles, elongate trochanters, contiguous procoxae, 11- segmented antenna with 3-segmented symmetrical, abrupt, loose club bearing a sensory extension on apical segment, 5 subequal, freely movable, abdominal segments, and elytra covering most of the abdomen. This is the first description of a Mesozoic member of the family Silvanidae.

Mermithids (Nematoda: Mermithidae) of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae): Heleidomermis cataloniensis n. sp. from Culicoides circumscriptus Kieffer in Spain and a species of Cretacimermis Poinar, 2001 from a ceratopogonid in Burmese amber

Heleidomermis cataloniensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Mermithidae) is described from Culicoides circumscriptus Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Spain. Diagnostic characters include prominant elevations with multiple genital papillae on either side of the cloacal opening, only one row of genital papillae on the lateral surface of the tail, the tapering tip of the spicule and a reduced vagina. A male intersex of C. circumscriptus parasitised by H. cataloniensis n. sp. has mouthparts resembling those of the female. Two 100 million year-old fossil specimens of an un-named species of Cretacimermis Poinar, 2001, from an Early Cretaceous Burmese amber biting midge of the genus Leptoconops Skuse, show the antiquity of ceratopogonid-mermithid associations.

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.

A Fossil Bee from Early Cretaceous Burmese Amber

The bee fossil record is fragmentary, making it difficult to accurately estimate the antiquity of bee-mediated pollination. Here, we describe a bee fossil [Melittosphex burmensis (new species), Melittosphecidae (new family)] from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber (approximately 100 million years before the present). The fossil provides insights into the morphology of the earliest bees and provides a new minimum date for the antiquity of bees and bee-mediated pollination.

Nematode (Nematoda: Mermithidae) and hairworm (Nematomorpha: Chordodidae) parasites in Early Cretaceous amber

The present report describes a mermithid nematode (Nematoda: Mermithidae) and a gordiid hairworm (Nematomorpha: Chordodidae) from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber dated at 100–110 million years. The mermithid, Cretacimermis protus sp. n., is emerging from a biting midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) while the hairworm, Cretachordodes burmitis, gen. n., sp. n. had already emerged from its host. These rare specimens represent the first fossil mermithid parasite of a ceratopogonid midge and second oldest described nematode and the earliest known and only Mesozoic fossil of the phylum Nematomorpha. A list of previously described fossil mermithids is included.

Fossil evidence of insect pathogens

The present report describes fossil evidence of insect pathogens, heretofore, almost non-existent, from six samples of amber ranging in age from 15 to 100 million years. They include a cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus and trypanosomatid infection in an adult biting midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), and a nuclear polyhedrosis virus in an adult sand fly (Diptera: Phlebotomidae), both from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber, several types of fungal thalli on the cuticle of an adult mosquito (Culicidae: Diptera), as well as a fungal growth on the prothorax of a fungus gnat (Mycetophilidae: Diptera) in Dominican amber and large tumors in the body cavity of a caterpillar (Lepidoptera) in Mexican amber. These discoveries suggest that insect polyhedrosis viruses were present 100 million years ago and present the possibility that vertebrate arboviruses (especially those in the family Reoviridae) could have evolved from cytoplasmic polyhedrosis viruses infecting biting insects. The flagellates in the Early Cretaceous biting midge represent the first fossil record of monogenetic trypanosomatid infections of arthropods.

Evidence of Vector-Borne Disease of Early Cretaceous Reptiles

A blood-filled sand fly, Palaeomyia burmitis, was recently described from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber. Within the alimentary canal of this sand fly were the amastigotes and promastigotes of a digenetic leishmanial trypanosomatid. Inside the lumen of the thoracic midgut of the fossil sand fly were nucleated blood cells, some of which were intact and others in various stages of lysis and disintegration. The present study identifies these blood cells as reptilian and describes putative developing amastigotes inside spherical to oval whitish vacuoles within some of the fossil blood cells. The significance of this find is discussed, especially regarding the high possibility that Cretaceous dinosaurs were infected by trypanosomatids.