scholarly journals An unusual elateroid lineage from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (Coleoptera: Elateroidea)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan-Da Li ◽  
Robin Kundrata ◽  
Gabriela Packova ◽  
Di-Ying Huang ◽  
Chen-Yang Cai

AbstractWe here report a new elateroid, Anoeuma lawrencei Li, Kundrata and Cai gen. et sp. nov., from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. Though superficially similar to some soft-bodied archostematans, Anoeuma could be firmly placed in the polyphagan superfamily Elateroidea based on the hind wing venation. Detailed morphological comparisons between extant elateroids and the Cretaceous fossils suggest that the unique character combination does not fit with confidence into any existing soft-bodied elateroid group, although some characters indicate possible relationships between Anoeuma and Omalisinae. Our discovery of this new lineage further demonstrates the past diversity and morphological disparity of soft-bodied elateroids.

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 474-481
Author(s):  
GEORGE POINAR

A new genus and species of small wasp (body length, 4.3 mm, exclusive of antennae) of the extinct family Praeaulacidae (Hymenoptera: Evanioidea) is described in Burmese amber. Placement in the Praeaulacidae is based on the hind wing venation with RS, cu-a and apparent r-m present and a 10-celled forewing. Special forewing features are a large CuA cell and very narrow 3rm cell that is not aligned with 2r-m. The narrow hind wings have a unique venation with RS, M, Cu and A reaching the lower wing margin. The metasoma is attached to the propodium by a 1-segmented petiole. The ovipositor is long, exceeding the length of the metasoma. An angiosperm flower is adjacent to the wasp and the presence of herbivorous insect larvae on the flower may have attracted the female wasp.


PalZ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gideon T. Haug ◽  
Carolin Haug ◽  
Serita van der Wal ◽  
Patrick Müller ◽  
Joachim T. Haug

AbstractNymphidae, the group of split-footed lacewings, is a rather species-poor group. Split-footed lacewings nowadays are restricted to Australasia, while fossil forms are also known from other areas of the world, indicating that the group was more species-rich and therefore likely diverse in the past. Split-footed lacewings have rather distinct larvae, roughly resembling antlion larvae, but differing from the latter especially with regard to the mandibles. Antlion larvae usually have three prominent teeth on each mandible, while at least extant larvae of split-footed lacewings only have a single prominent tooth per mandible. Fossils interpreted as larvae of split-footed lacewings are well known from amber from Myanmar (ca. 100 myr; Burmese amber) and by a single specimen from Baltic amber (about 40 myr). We here report additional fossil specimens from Myanmar amber, expanding the known record of fossil forms from six depicted specimens to 15. For the extant fauna, we could compile 25 larvae. We compare the diversity of shape of extant and fossil larvae through time using an outline analysis (based on elliptic Fourier transformation) of the head. The results of this analysis indicate that the morphological diversity, or disparity, of split-footed lacewing larvae was higher in the past than it is today. With this type of analysis, we can show a loss of diversity over time, without the necessity to identify the fossil larvae down to a narrow taxonomical range. A similar pattern has already been recognised in silky lacewings, Psychopsidae. This might indicate a general loss of diversity of lacewing larvae.


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4291 (2) ◽  
pp. 373 ◽  
Author(s):  
XIUMEI LU ◽  
WEIWEI ZHANG ◽  
MICHAEL OHL ◽  
XINGYUE LIU

A new genus and species of the lacewing family Psychopsidae, Electropsychops handlirschi gen. et sp. nov., is described based on a well preserved male specimen from the mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar. The new genus possesses a number of diagnostic characters of Psychopsidae, i.e., the lack of a forewing median nygma, the presence of a vena triplica, and the straight and barely forked RA. However, it also exhibits some remarkable characters that are present in Osmylopsychopidae, such as the distally narrowed forewing costal space and the sigmoid MA stem in the hind wing. The relationship between Psychopsidae and Osmylopsychopidae is briefly discussed. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4576 (2) ◽  
pp. 357
Author(s):  
ROLF GEORG BEUTEL ◽  
JAKUB PROKOP ◽  
PATRICK MÜLLER ◽  
HANS POHL

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. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4819 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-384
Author(s):  
DANIEL MOURA LIMA ◽  
ALBERTO MOREIRA DA SILVA-NETO ◽  
ALFONSO N. GARCÍA ALDRETE ◽  
FREDDY BRAVO

Two new species of Brasineura are described from Brazil based on male specimens: Brasineura calori sp. n. (Bahia: Brazil) and Brasineura morrense sp. n. (Bahia: Brazil). They differ from the other species in the genus, in which the males are known, by hypandrium and phallosome structures. New records and comments on variation in the fore- and hind- wing venation of B. troglophilica Silva-Neto & García Aldrete and B. diamantina Silva-Neto & García Aldrete are presented. The identification key to male Brasineura species is updated.


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4786 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-268
Author(s):  
CARLOS MOLINERI ◽  
TOMÁŠ DERKA

A new species of Leptohyphes Eaton (Ephemerotera: Leptohyphidae) is described, diagnosed and illustrated from nymphs collected in the Pantepui region in Southeastern Venezuela. Leptohyphes kukenan sp. nov. is similar to Leptohyphes populus Allen because they share a unique character for the genus: male compound eyes are divided. Other unique characters for the new species include a plesiomorphic gill structure, with imbricated ventral lamellae, and paired subapical denticles on tarsal claw. The new species show a unique combination of characters that distinguish it from L. populus and all other species of Leptohyphes: fore and hind margin of femora with spines on strong elevated sockets, part of body and legs covered by small pale spots, tarsal claws with 4–5 marginal denticles and a subapical pair of submarginal denticles, pronotum with large rounded lateral projection, hind wing pads absent in female, gill formula 8/7/7/4/1, operculate gill with imbricated ventral lobes, and gill V without ventral extension on dorsal lamella. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lida Xing ◽  
Ryan C. McKellar ◽  
Jingmai K. O’Connor ◽  
Kecheng Niu ◽  
Huijuan Mai

Abstract Since the first skeletal remains of avians preserved in amber were described in 2016, new avian remains trapped in Cretaceous-age Burmese amber continue to be uncovered, revealing a diversity of skeletal and feather morphologies observed nowhere else in the Mesozoic fossil record. Here we describe a foot with digital proportions unlike any previously described enantiornithine or Mesozoic bird. No bones are preserved in the new specimen but the outline of the foot is recorded in a detailed skin surface, which is surrounded by feather inclusions including a partial rachis-dominated feather. Pedal proportions and plumage support identification as an enantiornithine, but unlike previous discoveries the toes are stout with transversely elongated digital pads, and the outer toe appears strongly thickened relative to the inner two digits. The new specimen increases the known diversity and morphological disparity among the Enantiornithes, hinting at a wider range of habitats and behaviours. It also suggests that the Burmese amber avifauna was distinct from other Mesozoic assemblages, with amber entrapment including representatives from unusual small forms.


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4281 (1) ◽  
pp. 232
Author(s):  
MARÍA INÉS CATALANO ◽  
CHRISTOPHER H. DIETRICH

 Two new genera, Sakakidikra n. gen. and Tricella n. gen., of tribe Dikraneurini McAtee are described from Ecuador, each based on a single new species, Sakakidikra jazminae n. sp. and Tricella antonellae n. sp. Both new genera described have only three apical cells in the forewing, an unusual characteristic in Typhlocybinae, but given the differences in the forewing and hind wing venation and male genitalia characters we consider it more appropriate to place the specimens in two separate monotypic genera. 


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
Mohd Faradi Mohamed Ghazali

Myths and legends are the folk processes foregrounded in the past with their own interpretation on the universe and the creatures in it and apparently considered as the truth by the storyteller or its followers. The text Sulalatus Salatin excellently written by A. Samad Ahmad has now becoming the heritage of Malay supremacy. It is loaded with grandeur narrative elements of the fantasy to the realm of reality. Thus, this study examines the elements of historiography (the origin), symbolism, humanities and the majesty of figure through a metaphorical prose role particularly in researching the life hierarchy of the ruler and its people. This thorough study is conducted on the elements of plot, setting and unique character driven as the implicit narrative element, sarcasm, advice and the metaphorical to significantly prove such delivery style of philosophy. Myths and legends were addressed through various elements indicating the glory thoughts of the Malay author in conveying messages courteously and implicitly. Based on the results of this study, it was found that text Sulalatus Salatin has not only acted as Malay historical discourse alone, but each element presented implicitly contains high philosophical value of culture, religion and civilisation of the Malay race and reflects the high-end thinking credibility of the Malays. In addition, the metaphorical techniques used by the author in telling the story exhibits a style that is not easily comprehended on the surface, but encourages the readers to further analyse it in a real context. Hence, it is evident that Salatin Sulalatus previously seen from the lenses of myths and legends actually withholds a golden treasure of Malay thoughts in upholding its race.


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4320 (3) ◽  
pp. 597 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAVEL SROKA ◽  
ANDRÉ NEL

A new fossil species of the family Compsocidae, namely Burmacompsocus coniugans sp. nov. is described from Late Cretaceous Burmese amber. Diagnostic characters separating the new species from the previously known representatives of the genus are discussed. Details of mouthparts and genitalia are described for the genus for the first time. The discovery of the new species supports the hypothesis of higher Compsocidae diversity existing in the past compared with the present. 


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