Scydmaenus linqibini sp. nov., a new fossil Scydmaenini in mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 036-040
Author(s):  
ZIWEI YIN ◽  
DEYAO ZHOU
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Evolutionary Stage ◽  
Diverse Group ◽  
Fossil Species ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
Morphological Disparity ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
History Of ◽  
Fossil Records

The tribe Scydmaenini is the second most diverse group of the ant-like stone beetle subfamily Scydmaeninae, with more than 730 extant species classified in seven extant genera (Newton, 2019). However, confirmed fossil records important for elucidating the evolutionary history of the tribe are extremely rare, represented by only two species previously reported from mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber (Yin et al., 2018; Yin & Cai, 2019). Provided in this paper is the description of a third fossil species of Scydmaenini, again from Burmese amber, which sheds new light on the palaeodiversity and morphological disparity of this group during its early evolutionary stage.

A fossil water measurer from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (Hemiptera: Gerromorpha: Hydrometridae)

2001 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Møller Andersen ◽  
David Grimaldi
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Wing Venation ◽  
Fossil Species ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
History Of

AbstractSemiaquatic bugs (Hemiptera: Gerromorpha) comprise about 1,800 extant species classified in eight families. So far, 38 fossil species belonging to six families have been described or recorded, most of Cenozoic age. Knowledge about the evolutionary history of the major groups of Gerromorpha is seriously hampered by the scarcity of well-preserved Mesozoic fossils, especially from the Cretaceous. The present paper reports on a well-preserved semiaquatic bug from amber collected in the northern part of Myanmar (Burma). The source of this fossiliferous amber was previously considered to be Eocene in age, but recent evidence indicates that it originated in the Middle Cretaceous (Turonian-Cenomanian), or 100-90 Ma. The fossil species is described as Carinametra burmensis gen. et sp. n. The presence of three pairs of cephalic trichobothria, a prolonged head, long slender antennae and legs, reduced wing venation, etc., places the fossil in the gerromorphan family Hydrometridae or water measurers. Other characters suggest a close relationship with the two extant genera of the most basal of the hydrometrid subfamilies, Heterocleptinae. We present and discuss the available evidence used in the dating of Burmese amber. Finally, we discuss the phylogenetic, paleobiological, and biogeographic significance of the new fossil.

Recognizing the species of Thuja (Cupressaceae) based on their cone and foliage morphology

Phytotaxa ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 219 (2) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Sun ◽  
Yi-Ming Cui ◽  
Hai-Feng Wang ◽  
David Kay Ferguson ◽  
Qiao-Ping Xiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
East Asia ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Fossil Species ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
History Of

Thuja, with 5 extant species, exhibiting a disjunctive distribution between East Asia (3 species) and North America (2 species), was investigated with respect to the morphological characters of foliage and cones by LM and SEM. Here we provide 2 keys to all 5 species of Thuja based on the cones and foliage respectively, which not  only can be used for identifying extant Thuja at the species level, but also have a great potential for recognizing and/or linking the fossil species to living ones, and further tracing the evolutionary history of the genus.

scholarly journals The earliest beetle with mouthparts specialized for feeding on nectar is a parasitoid of mid-Cretaceous Hymenoptera

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Batelka ◽  
Jakub Prokop
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Flowering Plants ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Early Permian ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
Nectar Feeding ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background During the Mesozoic, there were many insects in several holometabolous orders (Neuroptera, Mecoptera and Diptera) with elongated mouthparts adapted for feeding on nectar. The evolutionary history of the megadiverse order Coleptera, which has a great diversity of mouthparts and feeding strategies, is well documented since early Permian with a significant peak in diversity in the Triassic. Currently, however, there is no evidence that in the Mesozoic these beetles fed on nectar despite the recorded specializations for pollination of flowering plants in several families since the mid-Cretaceous. Results Here we describe a new wedge-shaped beetle Melanosiagon serraticornis gen. et sp. nov. from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber attributed to Macrosiagonini (Ripiphoridae: Ripiphorinae), which has elongated galea comparable to that in the extant parasitoid genus Macrosiagon, and a well known example of adaptation for nectar feeding in Coleoptera. Furthermore, Salignacicola gen. nov. is established for Macrosiagon ebboi Perrichot, Nel et Néraudeau, 2004, based on the holotype found in mid-Cretaceous amber from France. Systematic positions of both newly established genera are discussed. A list of potential wasp and bee hosts of Ripiphorinae from the Mesozoic is provided. Conclusions This study presents evidence of the earliest occurrence of specialized nectar feeding mouthparts in Coleoptera. Melanosiagon serraticornis is closely related to extant Macrosiagonini. In all genera belonging to subfamily Ripiphorinae the primary larvae are adapted for parasitism on aculeate Hymenoptera (bees and wasps) and adults are associated with blossoms of flowering plants, in terms of their specialized morphology. Adults of Macrosiagon visit blossoms of flowering plants to obtain nectar and lay eggs from which the hatching larvae attack visiting wasps and bees. An association with flowers of some tropical trees is already corroborated in some extant species. Interestingly the larvae of Ripiphorinae are also found in Burmese amber. Thus, both life stages of the mid-Cretaceous Ripiphorinae indicate a close association of this lineage with flowering trees.

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

2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1894) ◽  
pp. 20182175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenyang Cai ◽  
John F. Lawrence ◽  
Shûhei Yamamoto ◽  
Richard A. B. Leschen ◽  
Alfred F. Newton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
Incertae Sedis ◽  
Morphological Stasis ◽  
New Synonym ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
History Of ◽  
Living Species

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.

scholarly journals Cretaceous amber fossils highlight the evolutionary history and morphological conservatism of land snails

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Hirano ◽  
Kaito Asato ◽  
Shûhei Yamamoto ◽  
Yui Takahashi ◽  
Satoshi Chiba
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Divergence Time ◽  
Land Snail ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Land Snails ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Fossil Records

Abstract Other than hard bones and shells, it is rare for soft tissues to fossilize, but occasionally they are well-preserved in amber. Here, we focus on both modern and fossilized species of the land snail superfamily Cyclophoroidea. Phylogenetic relationships within the Cyclophoroidea were previously studied using extant species, but timing of divergence within the group remains unclear. In addition, it is difficult to observe morphological traits such as the chitinous operculum and periostracum of fossil snails due to their poor preservation potential. Here we describe nine species including a new genus and five new species of well-preserved fossil cyclophoroideans from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. These fossils include not only the shell, but also the chitinous operculum and periostracum, soft body, and excrements. We present the first estimation of divergence time among cyclophoroidean families using fossil records and molecular data, suggesting extreme morphological conservatism of the Cyclophoroidea for nearly 100 million years.

scholarly journals A revision of <i>Ophidiaster davidsoni</i> de Loriol and Pellat 1874 from the Tithonian of Boulogne (France) and its transfer from the Valvatacea to the new forcipulatacean genus <i>Psammaster</i> gen. nov.

Fossil Record ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-149
Author(s):  
Marine Fau ◽  
Loïc Villier ◽  
Timothy A. M. Ewin ◽  
Andrew S. Gale
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
Body Wall ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sea Stars ◽  
Fossil Species ◽  
Sister Clade ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Subject

Abstract. Forcipulatacea is one of the three major groups of extant sea stars (Asteroidea: Echinodermata), composed of 400 extant species, but only known from fewer than 25 fossil species. Despite unequivocal members being recognized in the early Jurassic, the evolutionary history of this group is still the subject of debate. Thus, the identification of any new fossil representatives is significant. We here reappraise Ophidiaster davidsoni de Loriol and Pellat 1874 from the Tithonian of Boulogne, France, which was assigned to another major extant group, the Valvatacea, and reassign it within a new forcipulatacean genus, Psammaster gen. nov. Psammaster davidsoni gen. nov. possess key Forcipulatacea synapomorphies including compressed ambulacrals and adambulacrals and typical organization of the body wall and arm ossicles. A phylogenetic analysis including Psammaster davidsoni gen. nov. does not place it within any existing forcipulatacean family. Instead, Psammaster davidsoni gen. nov. exhibits a mix of plesiomorphic and derived characters and is resolved as a sister clade to a large group including the Asteriidae, Stichasteridae, and Heliasteridae. Removal of this species from the Ophidiasteridae means their oldest fossil representative now dates from the Santonian, Upper Cretaceous.

scholarly journals Extensive introgression and mosaic genomes of Mediterranean endemic lizards

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Weizhao Yang ◽  
Nathalie Feiner ◽  
Catarina Pinho ◽  
Geoffrey M. While ◽  
Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Mediterranean Islands ◽  
The Past ◽  
Island Endemics ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Mediterranean Island ◽  
History Of ◽  
Entire History ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

AbstractThe Mediterranean basin is a hotspot of biodiversity, fuelled by climatic oscillation and geological change over the past 20 million years. Wall lizards of the genus Podarcis are among the most abundant, diverse, and conspicuous Mediterranean fauna. Here, we unravel the remarkably entangled evolutionary history of wall lizards by sequencing genomes of 34 major lineages covering 26 species. We demonstrate an early (>11 MYA) separation into two clades centred on the Iberian and Balkan Peninsulas, and two clades of Mediterranean island endemics. Diversification within these clades was pronounced between 6.5–4.0 MYA, a period spanning the Messinian Salinity Crisis, during which the Mediterranean Sea nearly dried up before rapidly refilling. However, genetic exchange between lineages has been a pervasive feature throughout the entire history of wall lizards. This has resulted in a highly reticulated pattern of evolution across the group, characterised by mosaic genomes with major contributions from two or more parental taxa. These hybrid lineages gave rise to several of the extant species that are endemic to Mediterranean islands. The mosaic genomes of island endemics may have promoted their extraordinary adaptability and striking diversity in body size, shape and colouration, which have puzzled biologists for centuries.

scholarly journals A 100‐Million‐Year Gap in the Knowledge of the Evolutionary History of Bromeliaceae: A Brief Review of Fossil Records

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Musauer Kessous ◽  
Beatriz Neves ◽  
Fabiano Salgueiro ◽  
Andrea Ferreira Costa
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
History Of ◽  
Fossil Records

Morphological revision of Siphonophora hui (Myriapoda: Diplopoda: Siphonophoridae) from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
YI-TONG SU ◽  
CHEN-YANG CAI ◽  
DI-YING HUANG
Keyword(s):  
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser Scanning ◽  
Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Fossil Species ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
Extant Species

Siphonophora hui Jiang et al., 2019, known from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, is the first formally described fossil species of the extant myriapod family Siphonophoridae. Here we re-study this species using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) on the basis of three new specimens from the same deposit. A comparison between the fossil and extant species of Siphonophora is given and several new morphological details are discussed.

Biology and Evolution of Crocodylians

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Grigg ◽  
David Kirshner
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Black And White ◽  
New Information ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
History Of ◽  
To Come

Biology and Evolution of Crocodylians is a comprehensive review of current knowledge about the world's largest and most famous living reptiles. Gordon Grigg's authoritative and accessible text and David Kirshner's stunning interpretive artwork and colour photographs combine expertly in this contemporary celebration of crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials. This book showcases the skills and capabilities that allow crocodylians to live how and where they do. It covers the biology and ecology of the extant species, conservation issues, crocodylian–human interaction and the evolutionary history of the group, and includes a vast amount of new information; 25 per cent of 1100 cited publications have appeared since 2007. Richly illustrated with more than 500 colour photographs and black and white illustrations, this book will be a benchmark reference work for crocodylian biologists, herpetologists and vertebrate biologists for years to come. Winner of the 2015 Whitley Medal.

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