mid-Cretaceous Amber Research Articles

A second species of Dachibangus (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Mimarachnidae) in mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar

A fourth species of the mimarachnid planthoppers and a second species of Dachibangus is described and illustrated base on a well-preserved forewing in mid-Cretaceous amber of northern Myanmar. Dachibangus formosus sp. nov. can be distinguished from the type species Dachibangus trimaculatus Jiang, Szwedo et Wang, 2018 by the size of tegmen and its venation characters. Diagnostic features of the genus Dachibangus are reviewed. The new discovery further increases the documented palaeodiversity and morphological diversification of the Cretaceous mimarachnids.

Ambarticus myanmaricus gen. et sp. nov., the first diving beetle from mid-Cretaceous amber of northern Myanmar (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Dytiscinae)

Ambarticus myanmaricus gen. et sp. nov. is described from mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar based on examination of a single female specimen, and represents the unique taxon inclusion of fossils of the family Dytiscidae (Coleoptera: Adephaga) from Oriental Region. A new tribe, Ambraticini trib. nov. is established. The new taxon is assigned to subfamily Dytiscinae. This description represents one of a limited number of diving beetle taxa described from fossiliferous amber and is currently the oldest known fossil assigned to Dytiscinae. Key morphological characters of the new taxon are illustrated, and compared with tribes of Dytiscinae.

New bee flies from the mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber (Brachycera: Asiloidea: Bombyliidae)

Three new genera and species of bee flies, Similipioneeria mirantenna gen. et sp. nov., Cretabombylia spinifera gen. et sp. nov., and Peculibombylia relictivena gen. et sp. nov., are described from the mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar. These well-preserved species provide many morphological details of body characters that are of significance to understand the diversification of bee flies during the mid-Cretaceous. The occurrence of diverse bee flies in the mid-Cretaceous suggests that the divergence of main lineages of Bombyliidae should be much earlier than the current fossil records.

Still greater disparity in basal planthopper lineage: A new planthopper family Yetkhatidae (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Fulgoroidea) from mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber

A new family Yetkhatidae Song, Szwedo et Bourgoin fam. nov. from mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar is described. It is characterized by the tegmina with a triangular basal cell and in having the apex of the clavus closed, the female genitalia with robust endogonocoxal processes, the head capsule with trigones and foliated frontal margins, ridged lora (visible frontally) and by intermediate carinae on the mesonotum. Two new monotypic genera are described in this new family: Yetkhata Song, Szwedo & Bourgoin gen. nov., with Yetkhata jiangershii Song, Szwedo & Bourgoin sp. nov. and Parwaina Song, Szwedo & Bourgoin gen. nov. with Parwaina liuyei Song, Szwedo & Bourgoin sp. nov. A key to recognition of these genera is provided, and their morphological characters and disparity are briefly discussed.

Zorotypus hukawngi sp. nov., a Fossil Winged Zoraptera (Insect) in Burmese Amber.

A new species of the insect order Zoraptera, Zorotypus hukawngi sp. n., is described and figured based on one not well-preserved specimen in mid-Cretaceous amber from the Hukawng Valley in northern Myanmar. Compared to known extinct zorapterans, the new species is readily distinguished by characters of the mesonotum, wings, and the spination of the metafemur and metatibia.

Detailed descriptions of a female and male of the aphids family Parvaverrucosidae (Hemiptera: Aphidomorpha) from mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar revealed their new systematic position

Basing on new materials from Burmese amber, the paper presents a redescription of a female and a description of a male of Parvaverrucosa annulata Poinar and Brown, 2006. Up till now the family Parvaverrucosidae has been included into the “Aphidina vivipara” group. However, new, well-preserved inclusions of this species testify to transferring the family to “Aphidina vivipara”. The structure of apical parts of abdomen suggests that pre-adaptations to subsequent mutualistic relationships between aphids and ants might have developed in early Cenomanian.

New dustywings (Neuroptera, Coniopterygidae) from mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar reveal spectacular diversity.

Two new genera and species of Coniopterygidae (Neuroptera) are described and illustrated from mid Cretaceous (Cenomanian) amber of Myanmar. Mulleroconishyalinagen. n. et sp. n., attributed to the Coniopteryginae, bears a unique combination of venation characters and an abdomen without plicatures. The second new genus, attributed to the Aleuropteryginae, i.e. Palaeoconisazarigen. n. et sp. n., displays a unique pattern of crossveins 1m-cua and 2mp2-cua, with the latter crossing the pigmented spot. A check-list of all fossil genera and species of Coniopterygidae is provided.

Spinaeblattina myanmarensis gen. et sp. nov. and Blattoothecichnus argenteus ichnogen. et ichnosp. nov. (both Mesoblattinidae) from mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber

Mid-Cretaceous amber from Myanmar, also known as “burmite”, has produced 1013 species of which 693 are Insects. The Mesozoic cockroach record is rich, with thousands of specimens that show diverse ecological adaptations. Cretaceous cockroaches in amber have been reported from Lebanon, Taimyr, New Jersey and France. Cockroaches from Myanmar amber are represented by at least 74 species, of which 14 are formally described. Spinaeblattina with S. myanmarensis gen. et sp. nov. and S. yixianensis comb. n. = Piniblattella yixianensis from the Yixian Formation is along with Cratovitisma the second genus of the Mesoblattinidae known from both amber and sedimentary deposits. Fossil ootheca are rare with 6 specimens reported so far and the present isolated one, Blattoothecichnus argenteus ichnogen. et ichnosp. nov., is the most ancient, portable, otherwise resembling that of Cryptocercus. Ancient crystals of organic salt, calcium oxalate, forming the ootheca protective layer have been preserved on its surface.

A new stonefly of Acroneuriinae (Plecoptera: Perlidae) from mid-Cretaceous amber of northern Myanmar

A new stonefly, Burmesoperla expansa gen. et sp. nov. is described based on a well-preserved male specimen in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. The new genus is another extinct member of Acroneuriinae, but is distinguished by the C-shaped hammer and spoon-shaped subgenital plate. The C-shaped hammer is found in Plecoptera for the first time, and the enlarged male subgenital plate has never been reported from Perlidae. Morphological characters of the new genus and species are described, illustrated, and compared with related taxa.

The first whirligig beetle larva from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (Coleoptera: Adephaga: Gyrinidae)

The fossil record of Gyrinidae is not poor, with 19 species having been reported previously: here, however, we recognize the first whirligig beetle larva in mid-Cretaceous amber from Myanmar. Cretogyrus beuteli gen. et sp. nov. is described based on a well-preserved individual, differing from other gyrinid larvae by a combination of the following characters: mandibles large; neck region wide; two pairs of nasalean teeth present; cardo moderately elongated; series of small hooks on the lacinia absent; labial palpus 2-segmented; maxillary and labial palpomeres elongated and slender.

The first record of fossil Horaiellinae (Diptera: Psychodidae) from mid-Cretaceous amber of northern Myanmar

A new fossil genus of Horaiellinae (Diptera, Psychodidae) and two new species are described from Cretaceous Burmese amber. Protohoraiella gen. nov. is described to include P. katerinae sp. nov. and P. yvonnae sp. nov. Characters of the head, wing and male hypopygium are pertinent to diagnosing the genus and species and determining their relationship to other Psychodidae. Some character states present in Protohoraiella are found in other Psychodidae while others are shared only with Tanyderidae. Studies of Horaiellinae are critical to clarifying the diagnoses of Psychodidae and Tanyderidae.

Priscoculex burmanicus n. gen. et sp. (Diptera: Culicidae: Anophelinae) from mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber

ABSTRACT A new genus and species of mosquito, Priscoculex burmanicus (Diptera: Culicidae: Anophelinae), are described from mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber. Diagnostic characters for the holotype female are the presence of scales and setae on the wing veins, a setaceous, straight, proboscis that is subequal in length to the maxillary palpi, rounded margin of the scutellum, the third palpomere with a sensillum chaeticum, long setae on the proboscis and palpi, antennae longer than proboscis, absence of scales on the abdomen, lack of pulvilli and spiracular setae, truncate abdomen and oval cerci. The above-mentioned features are the basis for assigning Priscoculex as an early lineage of the Anophelinae that existed ~100–110 Mya. Discussion is presented on how the Anophelinae could have originated in Gondwana and colonized the interconnected lands before the continents separated. www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C776F051-F345-4E15-9837-DF2D1AF22DF3 www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:1601C12D-6CFC-49E9-8731-A011F98E6556 www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:C5E4DBC1-CCE1-48F4-9A08-DAA6993BAA9D

New antlions (Insecta: Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) from the mid-Cretaceous of Myanmar and their phylogenetic implications

Myrmeleontidae (antlions) is the most species-rich family of the holometabolous order Neuroptera. Evolutionary history of this diverse lacewing family remains largely unexplored. Here we report on three new genera and four new species of antlions from the mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar, namely Allopteroneura burmana Lu, Zhang & Liu gen. et sp. nov., Phylloleon elegans Lu, Wang & Liu gen. et sp. nov., Phylloleon stangei Lu, Ohl & Liu gen. et sp. nov. and Nanoleon wangae Hu, Lu & Liu gen. et sp. nov. A phylogenetic analysis of the Burmese amber antlions is performed based on morphological characters. The result shows that the antlion species presently described belong to different major clades across the phylogenetic tree, suggesting a diverse palaeofauna of this family from the mid-Cretaceous of Myanmar. The phylogenetic status of the extinct subfamily Araripeneurinae is also discussed.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:90D26B8B-1A59-465B-A530-0C0662D85E72

Basal polyphagan beetles in mid-Cretaceous amber from Myanmar: biogeographic implications and long-term morphological stasis.

The origin and early evolutionary history of polyphagan beetles have been largely based on evidence from the derived and diverse 'core Polyphaga', whereas little is known about the species-poor basal polyphagan lineages, which include Scirtoidea (Clambidae, Decliniidae, Eucinetidae, and Scirtidae) and Derodontidae. Here, we report two new species Acalyptomerus thayerae sp. nov. and Sphaerothorax uenoi sp. nov., both belonging to extant genera of Clambidae, from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. Acalyptomerus thayerae has a close affinity to A. herbertfranzi, a species currently occurring in Mesoamerica and northern South America. Sphaerothorax uenoi is closely related to extant species of Sphaerothorax, which are usually collected in forests of Nothofagus of Australia, Chile, and New Zealand. The discovery of two Cretaceous species from northern Myanmar indicates that both genera had lengthy evolutionary histories, originated at least by the earliest Cenomanian, and were probably more widespread than at present. Remarkable morphological similarities between fossil and living species suggest that both genera changed little over long periods of geological time. The long-term persistence of similar mesic microhabitats such as leaf litter may account for the 99 Myr morphological stasis in Acalyptomerus and Sphaerothorax. Additionally, the extinct staphylinoid family Ptismidae is proposed as a new synonym of Clambidae, and its only included species Ptisma zasukhae is placed as incertae sedis within Clambidae.

Diversification of Eupolypods in Mid-Cretaceous—Evidenced by Myanmar Amber Forest

The evolutionary history of Eupolypods still remains unclear, especially on its diversification scenarios. In recent years, it has been found that approximately 100 million-year-old Myanmar amber provides a unique source of polypod fossils. Different families and numerous sporangia, spores, and scales have been found in Myanmar amber. These discoveries are nevertheless important because they provided the first unequivocal fossil evidence that the diversity of eupolypod ferns was present already in the mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber forest. This clearly shows that Eupolypods originated before mid-Cretaceous, probably as early as the Early Jurassic, which is consistent with the recent divergence time estimate based on molecular dating.

First record of marine gastropods (wentletraps) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber

Abstracts Gastropod fossils are rarely preserved in amber with only a few records of terrestrial snails. Two new species, Epitonium (Epitonium) zhuoi n. sp. and Epitonium (Papyriscala) lyui n. sp. are described based on two well-preserved specimens from mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar. Highresolution three-dimensional images using X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) are provided. These species can be attributed to the family Epitoniidae (wentletraps) based on the shell characters such as the slender and conical shell-shape, numerous whorls, round aperture and regular, axial sculpture of high, sharply-ribbed costae. Our find is the first record of marine gastropods preserved in amber, and suggests that the Burmese amber forest probably existed close to the seashore.

A new fossil record of Lindsaeaceae (Polypodiales) from the mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar

A new fossil belonging to the Lindsaeaceae is described as Proodontosoria myanmarensis gen. et sp. nov. from the mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber. Its classification in the extant Lindsaeaceae is based on laterally fused vein tips that bear sori, indusia opening toward the segment margins, and trilete spores. The number of annulus cells and the size of sporangium suggest that the fossil probably belongs to a stem group element of this family.

An Enigmatic Miniaturized and Attenuate Whole Lizard from the Mid-Cretaceous Amber of Myanmar

We report the discovery of a new genus and species of amber-preserved lizard from the mid-Cretaceous of Myanmar. The fossil is one of the smallest and most complete Cretaceous lizards ever found, preserving both the articulated skeleton and remains of the muscular system and other soft tissues. Despite its completeness, its state of preservation obscures important diagnostic features. We determined its taxonomic allocation using two approaches: we used previously identified autapomorphies of squamates that were observable in the fossil; and we included the fossil in a large squamate morphological data set. The apomorphy-based identification of this specimen, including comparative data on trunk elongation in squamates, suggests its allocation to the stem-group Anguimorpha. Results from the phylogenetic analysis places the fossil in one of four positions: as sister taxon of either Shinisaurus crocodilurus or Parasaniwa wyomingensis, at the root of Varanoidea, or in a polytomy with Varanoidea and a fossorial group retrieved in a previous assessment of squamate relationships. It is clear that this fossil has many similarities with anguimorph squamates and, if this taxonomic allocation is correct, this fossil would represent the first amber-preserved member of stem Anguimorpha ever recorded, and the smallest known member of that group. It further emphasizes the role of amber inclusions in expanding our understanding of the diversity of Cretaceous lizard communities.

First hairy cicadas in mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar (Hemiptera: Cicadoidea: Tettigarctidae)

Two new genera and two new species of Tettigarctidae, Cretotettigarcta burmensis gen. et sp. nov., and Vetuprosbole parallelica gen. et sp. nov., are described and illustrated based on two well-preserved specimens from the mid-Cretaceous amber of northern Myanmar. C. burmensis is assigned to the subfamily Tettigarctinae, providing several peculiar features that are not found in the extant representatives of Tettigarctinae: apex of fore femur armed with distal conical spine; hind tibia armed with three lateral spines; ScP + R branching distinctly after MP branching; MP3+4 connecting CuA1 by cross vein m-cu. The other species V. parallelica is tentatively assigned to the tribe Turutanoviini of Cicadoprosbolinae. C. burmensis resembles Sunotettigarcta hirsuta from the Middle–Upper Jurassic of Daohugou beds (northeastern China) in its general characters of wing venation and pronotum, which suggests a close relationship between the Daohugou and Burmese amber biotas. It likely reveals a range shift southwards after the Daohugou palaeoecosystem collapsed during the Late Jurassic in north China. Our discovery represents the first record of amber-entombed Tettigarctidae from the Mesozoic, which greatly widens the biogeographic distribution and increases the palaeodiversity of the Mesozoic tettigarctids. It also provides new insights into the morphological diversification and early evolutionary history of tettigarctids.

Juvenile snail with preserved soft tissue in mid-Cretaceous amber from Myanmar suggests a cyclophoroidean (Gastropoda) ancestry

Gastropods are generally rare in amber. In this paper we describe an example of exceptional soft-bodied preservation in a fossil terrestrial mollusk-a snail shell with some tissue, including part of the cephalic region (head) with a tentacle and inferred eye stalk, and potentially part of the foot and operculum. The snail, a probable juvenile, is preserved in Burmese amber (Burmite) from Myanmar, of earliest Cenomanian age. Morphological evidence suggests a cyclophoroidean ancestry and a possible attribution to the family Cyclophoridae; members of this superfamily are widespread today in Asia, thus indicating a long geological history in the region. This specimen constitutes the first confirmed and oldest record of soft-bodied preservation of a snail in Cretaceous amber.