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"Amber."
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A two‐photon fluorescence micro‐spectroscopy method for chemotaxonomic characterization of fossil resins
Premise Amber, a fossilized chemical defensive exudate, is important for understanding ancient plant–insect/pathogen interactions, yet its botanical origins, especially for Cretaceous amber, remain enigmatic. Here, we develop and apply a fluorescence micro‐spectroscopy approach within the context of a larger study on the provenance of amber. Methods Emission spectra were collected from 21 amber, copal, and Defaunation resin samples at six excitation wavelengths. The emission spectra at all excitation wavelengths were deconvolved using simultaneous fitting, with each emission spectrum modeled as a linear combination of four Gaussian components. Results Differences between Gaussian means separated the samples into five groups. Cross‐referencing these groupings with prior studies on their botanical origins indicate that they corresponded broadly to ambers from well‐defined conifer families, including the Araucariaceae (group 1 associated with Wollemia and Araucaria, groups 2 and 3 associated with Agathis) and Cupressaceae (group 4), and Baltic amber (group 5) with unresolved taxonomic affinity. Discussion Fluorescence micro‐spectroscopy is a useful approach for characterizing fossil resin in a reproducible and nondestructive manner. Variations in the fluorescence properties of resins do not correspond to variations in age or maturity but rather to plant origin. Therefore, this approach provides an additional line of evidence for inferring the botanical origins of amber.
Journal Article
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
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
Caddisflies from Cenozoic resins of Europe
Analysis of the available data on the findings and taxonomical structure of caddisflies (Insecta, Trichoptera) in the Cenozoic fossil resins of Europe shows that there are four European amber regions (Baltic, Rovno, Saxonian, and Danish) are characterized by a relatively abundant trichopteran fauna, comprising 27 families, 72 genera, and 256 species. These faunas show the dominance of Psychomyioidea (families Polycentropodidae, Psychomyiidae, and Ecnomidae) with Polycentropodidae comprising up to 75% of all records. The amber faunas are second in the dominance of Polycentropodidae only to the terminal Eocene of Florissant (84% of Polycentropodidae). No modern caddisfly species have been found. The amber regions are significantly different in the species composition of Trichoptera although the generic and family structures are similar. Comparison with the modern faunas of Europe shows the absence of advanced Limnephilidae, which are characteristic of the Holocene faunas of Europe, and the rarity of recently abundant Hydropsychidae and Hydroptilidae. The overall composition of amber Trichoptera suggests that it is structurally related to the faunas of Caucasus and Southeastern Asia and might be evidence of seasonally low-contrast (equable) climate in the Late Eocene of Europe.
Journal Article