On the systematic position of a highly derived amphiesmenopteran insect from Burmese amber (Insecta, Amphiesmenoptera)

2016 ◽  
Vol 107 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 249-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfram Mey ◽  
Wilfried Wichard ◽  
Emma Ross ◽  
Andrew Ross
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Position ◽  
Wing Venation ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
Line Drawings ◽  
Incertae Sedis ◽  
Fossil Insect ◽  
Stem Group

ABSTRACTA small fossil insect with scales on the wings and body was identified as a representative of Aphiesmenoptera from Burmese amber. The species is introduced here as Tarachocelis microlepidopterella (†). The insect is described in detail, and photos and line drawings are provided for wing venation, head, mouthparts, scales, legs and abdomen. All characters shared with primitive Lepidoptera and Trichoptera are symplesiomorphies or groundplan traits of Amphiesmenoptera. In addition, the Burmese fossil has a number of remarkable autapomorphies, giving it an appearance that deviates clearly from known families of Lepidoptera and Trichoptera. The species, representing a family of its own, Tarachocelidae, is considered a separate and unique taxon in the stem-group of Amphiesmenoptera and is provisionally placed as Amphiesmenoptera incertae sedis.**NB: See Note Added in Proof (Section 4).

scholarly journals Intriguing and Beautiful: Adamacrocera adami gen. et sp. nov. from the Upper Cretaceous Amber of Myanmar Represents a New Subfamily of Keroplatidae (Diptera: Bibionomorpha)

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 552
Author(s):  
Jan Ševčík ◽  
Wiesław Krzemiński ◽  
Kornelia Skibińska
Keyword(s):  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Wing Venation ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
Incertae Sedis ◽  
Fossil Genus

A new fossil genus and species of Keroplatidae (Diptera, Bibionomorpha, Sciaroidea), Adamacrocera adami gen. et sp. nov., from the Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber is described and illustrated. Based on morphological evidence, it is placed in a new subfamily Adamacrocerinae subfam. nov. The new genus, as well as the subfamily, possesses the wing venation characteristic of the genera of some Sciaroidea incertae sedis, as well as that of the fossil families Archizelmiridae, Antefungivoridae and Mesosciophilidae, in combination with macrocerine-like habitus and male terminalia.

scholarly journals X-ray micro-tomography of Carboniferous stem-Dictyoptera: new insights into early insects

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 699-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell Garwood ◽  
Mark Sutton
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Wing Venation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Rapid Movement ◽  
Fossil Insect ◽  
Stem Group ◽  
Mode Of Life ◽  
Micro Tomography ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Insect Fossils

Computer reconstructions of Archimylacris eggintoni , a Carboniferous stem-group dictyopteran (‘roachoid’), are presented. A siderite-hosted specimen was scanned using high-resolution X-ray microtomography (µCT), and a ‘virtual fossil’ was created with a resolution of 17.7 µm. This has revealed the morphology in great detail, including adhesive limb structures indicative of climbing and specializations for rapid movement. The antennae are filiform, and the mandibles are comparable to those of certain extant cockroaches, suggesting a similar generalist, saprophagous diet. The reconstruction reveals a high degree of specialization, and provides insights into the mode of life of these common Palaeozoic insects. Further µCT study of insect fossils has the potential to supplement wing venation with new characters, and hence improve fossil insect phylogenies.

scholarly journals The blueprint of the Amphiesmenoptera – Tarachoptera, a new order of insects from Burmese amber (Insecta, Amphiesmenoptera)

Fossil Record ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfram Mey ◽  
Wilfried Wichard ◽  
Patrick Müller ◽  
Bo Wang
Keyword(s):  
New Order ◽  
Wing Venation ◽  
Fossil Species ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
Origin And Evolution ◽  
Line Drawings ◽  
Insect Order ◽  
The Family ◽  
History Of ◽  
Males And Females

Abstract. Based on a total of 14 inclusions from Burmese amber the new insect order Tarachoptera is established. The family Tarachocelidae previously described from Burmese amber and then placed in Amphiesmenoptera incertae sedis is assigned to this new order. The genus Kinitocelis gen. nov. is established to accommodate three new fossil species: K. hennigi spec. nov., K. divisinotata spec. nov. and K. brevicostata spec. nov. The new genus differs from Tarachocelis gen. nov. by the absence of androconial scales on the wings and the loss of Cu2 in the forewings. The species are described in detail and the critical characters are illustrated by line drawings and photos. Both males and females were described. The species can be distinguished by traits in the wing venation. The new order Tarachoptera is placed in the superorder Amphiesmenoptera based on the presence of seven amphiesmenopteran apomorphies and nine tarachopteran apomorphies. Apomorphic characters of Trichoptera and Lepidoptera could not be disclosed, which suggests an independent origin and evolution from an amphiesmenopteran ancestor which was not the ancestor of the Trichoptera-Lepidoptera clade. The species of Tarachoptera are tiny insects with a wing span of 2.3–4.5 mm but highly specialized according to their aberrant morphology. Aspects of the presumed life history of the adults were deduced from some of the derived morphological traits that could be interpreted as adaptations to a highly structured micro-environment.

scholarly journals Descriptions of two new species of Tarachoptera from Burmese amber (Insecta, Amphiesmenoptera: Tarachoptera)

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-188
Author(s):  
Wolfram Mey ◽  
Wilfried Wichard ◽  
Patrick Müller ◽  
Bo Wang
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Fossil Insects ◽  
Wing Venation ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
Line Drawings ◽  
The Family ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
New Material

During examination of new material of Burmese amber three individuals of Tarachoptera were discovered. The inclusions are sufficiently well preserved and allow identification and description of these rare, fossil insects. The species belong to the family Tarachocelidae and are described as Kinitocelis macroptera spec. nov. (†) and Retortocelis spicipalpia spec. nov. (†). The species and their preservations are described in detail, and photos and line drawings are provided for wing venation, head, mouthparts, and abdomen. The hitherto described species of Tarachoptera are summarized in a checklist.   Taxonomic acts Kinitocelis macroptera Mey & Wichard, spec. nov. – urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:E0B1624A-C69E-4B53-851F-4368AC21C614Retortocelis spicipalpia Mey & Wichard, spec. nov. – urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:9778E7E2-EEFE-4DC5-B891-54DF114D525C

Pleuroceratos jiewenae sp. nov.: A new Cretaceous phloeostichid beetle (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Phloeostichidae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-259
Author(s):  
ERIK TIHELKA ◽  
DIYING HUANG ◽  
CHENYANG CAI
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Systematic Position ◽  
Disjunct Distribution ◽  
Diverse Group ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
Incertae Sedis ◽  
Early Diversification ◽  
The Family ◽  
Phylogenetic Affinities ◽  
A New Species

Elucidating the phylogenetic affinities of enigmatic fossils is crucial for resolving the early diversification of the superfamily Cucujoidea, a diverse group of polyphagan beetles whose relationships remain contentious. The systematic position of the Cretaceous genus Pleuroceratos known from Burmese amber has been uncertain; the genus was previously placed into Silvanidae, Sphindidae, and Cucujoidea incertae sedis. Here we describe a new species, Pleuroceratos jiewenae sp. nov., from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber and conduct a formal phylogenetic analysis to elucidate the position of the genus. We recover Pleuroceratos as nested within the family Phloeostichidae, represented in the modern fauna by four genera of fungivorous subcortical beetles with a highly disjunct distribution range. Pleuroceratos beetles are the sole fossil members of Phloeostichidae known to date and indicate that the family begun to diversify by the mid-Cretaceous.

scholarly journals New genera of brachyceran flies (Diptera: Xylomyidae and Apsilocephalidae sensu auctorum) from mid-Cretaceous Hukawng Valley Burmese amber

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-261
Author(s):  
MÓNICA M. SOLÓRZANO KRAEMER ◽  
JEFFREY M. CUMMING
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Position ◽  
New Taxon ◽  
New Genera ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
Incertae Sedis ◽  
The Family ◽  
First Time

Two new genera and species from the family Xylomyidae: Pankowskia primera, gen. et sp. nov., Cretarthropeina perdita gen. et sp. nov., and one genus and species incertae sedis, closely related to the family Apsilocephalidae: Kuhwahldyia indefinita gen. et sp. nov. are described from mid-Cretaceous Hukawng Valley Burmese amber. A male Xylomyidae is described for the first time from this amber. The systematic position of each new taxon is discussed.

†Bittacopsocus—a new bizarre genus of †Permopsocida (Insecta) from Burmese Cretaceous amber

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4576 (2) ◽  
pp. 357
Author(s):  
ROLF GEORG BEUTEL ◽  
JAKUB PROKOP ◽  
PATRICK MÜLLER ◽  
HANS POHL
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Predatory Behavior ◽  
Unusual Feature ◽  
Insect Species ◽  
Wing Venation ◽  
Small Male ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
Extinct Group

A new insect species (†Bittacopsocus megacephalus Beutel, Prokop, Müller et Pohl gen. et sp. nov.) is described, based on a single small male (ca. 2.5 mm) embedded in mid Cretaceous Burmese amber. The species shows some resemblance with the mecopteran family Bittacidae, mainly due to strongly elongated and thin legs. However, the structural affinities are apparently due to convergency. Different features, but especially the mouthparts and the pattern of wing venation, indicate that the species belongs to the extinct order †Permopsocida (?Archipsyllidae). However, it differs markedly from all species previously described in this extinct group. The very thin and strongly elongated legs are probably autapomorphic. A very unusual feature is the antenna with only seven segments and extremely elongated flagellomeres. The two pairs of wings are unusually narrow. M and CuA are basally fused. Proximal rows of spines, two series of closed cells, and a distinctly increased number of terminal branches of M are present in the forewings, in contrast to other archipsyllid genera. It is conceivable that Bittacopsocus megacephalus used its long legs to rest suspended in the vegetation like Bittacus. The head structures tentatively suggest predatory behavior but the feeding habits are unclarified yet. 

scholarly journals Skeneimorph but not skeneid: systematics and anatomy of Lodderena Iredale, 1924 (Vetigastropoda: Trochoidea)

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-172
Author(s):  
Gerhard Haszprunar ◽  
Martin Brückner ◽  
Bernhard Ruthensteiner
Keyword(s):  
Critical Review ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Copulatory Organ ◽  
Systematic Position ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Nominal Species ◽  
Molecular Systematic ◽  
Systematic Data ◽  
Incertae Sedis ◽  
Shed Light

ABSTRACT The genus Lodderena Iredale, 1924 has been classified in the Skeneidae by most recent authors. However, this family, originally characterized by their minute size, lack of nacre in the teleoconch and a rhipidoglossate radula, is currently considered to be polyphyletic assemblage, and preliminary molecular systematic data suggest exclusion of Lodderena from Skeneidae. In order to shed light on the systematic position of this genus, we provide a detailed description of the anatomy and histology of the type species, Lodderena minima (Tenison-Woods, 1878), and of L. ornata (Olsson & McGinty, 1958). The anatomical data confirm the vetigastropod-trochoid nature of Lodderena but exclude the genus from Skeneidae. Skeneidae are mainly characterized by a propodial penis, a hermaphroditic condition with separated testis and ovary, and a large receptaculum in the mantle roof. In contrast, Lodderena species lack both a copulatory organ and receptaculum, and have a true ovotestis. We also provide a critical review of nominal species in the genus. Based on molecular and morphological evidence, we exclude Lodderena from Skeneidae, instead treating it as a genus incertae sedis within Trochoidea. We discuss the implications of small size for functional morphology and reproduction.

A morphological and biometrical study of the blood forms ofTrypanosoma suisOchmann, 1905

Parasitology ◽  
1963 ◽  
Vol 53 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 217-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. E. Stephen
Keyword(s):  
Length Distribution ◽  
Systematic Position ◽  
London School ◽  
Normal Length ◽  
Line Drawings ◽  
The Status ◽  
Belgian Congo ◽  
Biometrical Study ◽  
Free Flagellum ◽  
Selection Of

The status ofTrypanosoma suiswas held in doubt from the time it was first seen in 1905 until it was re-discovered and carefully studied in the Belgian Congo in 1954.A description is given of the morphology of single and dividing forms ofT. suisas seen in stained thin films made from the blood of infected pigs, and a selection of these is illustrated by line drawings. Briefly this trypanosome is short and stumpy with a free flagellum.A biometrical study was made on 200 organisms, showing a normal length distribution with a range from 8·5 to 18·5μ, and mean = 14·43μ.The monomorphism of the trypanosome is verified, and—because of its development in the salivary glands ofGlossina—its systematic position as a monomorphic subgroup of theBruceigroup is confirmed.I am much indebted to Dr C. A. Hoare, F.R.S., for the loan of the blood films used in this study and for his interest in the work. I am also grateful to Professor P. C. C. Garnham for providing me with accommodation and equipment at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

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