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Only a half of Species of Hymenoptera in Rovno Amber Fauna is Common with Baltic Amber
A list of all 117 hymenopteran species recorded from Rovno amber is presented for the fi rst time. Th is list includes 50 named species (43 %) known only in Rovno amber fauna. Of the remaining species, 59 (50 %) are recorded also from Baltic amber, 37 (32 %) from Bitterfeld amber, 26 (22 %) from Scandinavian amber as well. Half of the species (50 %) are known on both sides of the Subparathetys (that is, recorded in Baltic amber as well), and another half is recorded only to south of the Subparathetys (from the Rovno, Bitterfeld and Scandinavian amber only). One subfamily, Eucoilinae Th omson, one tribe, Protomicroidini Antropov, and 19 genera (Archaeocercus Simutnik, Archaeogryon Kononova & Simutnik, Astigmaton Kasparyan, Boltonidris Radchenko & Dlussky, Dipriocampe Bouček, Disogmus Főrster, Fallomyrma Dlussky & Radchenko, Foveorisus Martynova, Lissonota Khalaim, Pristomyrmex Mayr, Protomicroides Antropov, Pseudidris Kononova, Pseudotelea Kononova, Rovenosa Khalaim, Rovnoecus Antropov, Rovnoeucoila Buffi ngton & Perkovsky, Rovnosoma Simutnik, Sierola Cameron, Trjapitzion Simutnik) are recorded only from south of the Subparathetys. Th ese data provide evidence supporting the previously proposed suggestion on the diff erent origin of four main European sources of succinite. Th e data mentioned above confi rm that the source area of the Rovno amber, contrary to the Baltic amber, had been situated southwards from Subparathetys. Platystasius gracilis Kononova & Simutnik and Oxyserphus obsolescens (Brues) are recorded for the fi rst time respectively from Baltic and Scandinavian amber.
Journal Article
An ammonite trapped in Burmese amber
Amber is fossilized tree resin, and inclusions usually comprise terrestrial and, rarely, aquatic organisms. Marine fossils are extremely rare in Cretaceous and Cenozoic ambers. Here, we report a record of an ammonite with marine gastropods, intertidal isopods, and diverse terrestrial arthropods as syninclusions in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. We used X-ray–microcomputed tomography (CT) to obtain high-resolution 3D images of the ammonite, including its sutures, which are diagnostically important for ammonites. The ammonite is a juvenile Puzosia (Bhimaites) and provides supporting evidence for a Late Albian–Early Cenomanian age of the amber. There is a diverse assemblage (at least 40 individuals) of arthropods in this amber sample from both terrestrial and marine habitats, including Isopoda, Acari (mites), Araneae (spiders), Diplopoda (millipedes), and representatives of the insect orders Blattodea (cockroaches), Coleoptera (beetles), Diptera (true flies), and Hymenoptera (wasps). The incomplete preservation and lack of soft body of the ammonite and marine gastropods suggest that they were dead and underwent abrasion on the seashore before entombment. It is most likely that the resin fell to the beach from coastal trees, picking up terrestrial arthropods and beach shells and, exceptionally, surviving the high-energy beach environment to be preserved as amber. Our findings not only represent a record of an ammonite in amber but also provide insights into the taphonomy of amber and the paleoecology of Cretaceous amber forests.
Journal Article
Past interactions of ants with other organisms
The question, when ants first appeared, remains unanswered. However, images of ants in Burmese amber show that some extinct types existed back then. By the mid-Cenozoic, most fossil ants could be assigned to extant genera. The present work examines ancient associations between ants and other organisms based on fossils in amber. Topics include fungal associates, interactions with higher plants, associations between ants and arachnids, ants bringing food to the colony, insect parasites and predators, nematode parasites, ants visiting flowers, ant mimics and gut microbes in ants. All specimens included in the present work are listed with the amber source, present location, published accounts and accession numbers of those in the Poinar amber collection (PAC).
Journal Article
Unravelling the mystery of “Madagascar copal”: Age, origin and preservation of a Recent resin
The loss of biodiversity during the Anthropocene is a constant topic of discussion, especially in the top biodiversity hotspots, such as Madagascar. In this regard, the study of preserved organisms through time, like those included in \"Madagascar copal\", is of relevance. \"Madagascar copal\" originated from the leguminous tree Hymenaea verrucosa, which produced and produces resin abundantly. In the last 20 years, interest has focused on the scientific study of its biological inclusions, mainly arthropods, described in dozens of publications. The age and origin of the deposits of \"Madagascar copal\" have not yet been resolved. Our objectives are to determine its age and geographical origin, and thus increase its scientific value as a source of biological/palaeobiological information. Although Hymenaea was established in Madagascar during the Miocene, we did not find geological deposits of copal or amber in the island. It is plausible that the evolution of those deposits was negatively conditioned by the type of soil, by the climate, and by the development of soil/litter microorganisms, which inhibit preservation of the resin pieces in the litter and subsoil over 300 years. Our results indicate that \"Madagascar copal\" is a Recent resin, up to a few hundred years old, that originated from Hymenaea trees growing in the lowland coastal forests, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. The included and preserved biota is representative of that ecosystem today and during historical times. Inclusions in this Recent resin do not have the palaeontological significance that has been mistakenly attributed to them, but they do have relevant implications for studies regarding Anthropocene biodiversity loss in this hottest hotspot.
Journal Article
What a trip, Amber Brown
Amber Brown and her parents go to the Poconos for two weeks with Amber's best friend, Justin, and his family. Best friends Amber Brown and Justin Daniels are taking a vacation together. There's just one problem--Justin's little brother wants to tag along.
Book
Golden Orbweavers Ignore Biological Rules
Instances of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) provide the context for rigorous tests of biological rules of size evolution, such as Cope’s rule (phyletic size increase), Rensch’s rule (allometric patterns of male and female size), as well as male and female body size optima. In certain spider groups, such as the golden orbweavers (Nephilidae), extreme female-biased SSD (eSSD, female:male body length ≥2) is the norm. Nephilid genera construct webs of exaggerated proportions, which can be aerial, arboricolous, or intermediate (hybrid). First, we established the backbone phylogeny of Nephilidae using 367 anchored hybrid enrichment markers, then combined these data with classical markers for a reference species-level phylogeny. Second, we used the phylogeny to test Cope and Rensch’s rules, sex specific size optima, and the coevolution of web size, type, and features with female and male body size and their ratio, SSD. Male, but not female, size increases significantly over time, and refutes Cope’s rule. Allometric analyses reject the converse, Rensch’s rule. Male and female body sizes are uncorrelated. Female size evolution is random, but males evolve toward an optimum size (3.2–4.9 mm). Overall, female body size correlates positively with absolute web size. However, intermediate sized females build the largest webs (of the hybrid type), giant female Nephila and Trichonephila build smaller webs (of the aerial type), and the smallest females build the smallest webs (of the arboricolous type). We propose taxonomic changes based on the criteria of clade age, monophyly and exclusivity, classification information content, and diagnosability. Spider families, as currently defined, tend to be between 37 million years old and 98 million years old, and Nephilidae is estimated at 133 Ma (97–146), thus deserving family status. We, therefore, resurrect the family Nephilidae Simon 1894 that contains Clitaetra Simon 1889, the Cretaceous Geratonephila Poinar and Buckley (2012), Herennia Thorell 1877, Indoetra Kuntner 2006, new rank, Nephila Leach 1815, Nephilengys L. Koch 1872, Nephilingis Kuntner 2013, Palaeonephila Wunderlich 2004 from Tertiary Baltic amber, and Trichonephila Dahl 1911, new rank. We propose the new clade Orbipurae to contain Araneidae Clerck 1757, Phonognathidae Simon 1894, new rank, and Nephilidae. Nephilid female gigantism is a phylogenetically ancient phenotype (over 100 Ma), as is eSSD, though their magnitudes vary by lineage.
Journal Article