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26 results on '"Burmite"'

1. New cockroach (Insecta: Blattaria) from North Myanmar amber.

Author

Kováčová, Zuzana

Subjects
*COCKROACHES, *INSECTS, *AMBER fossils, *FOSSIL insects, *SPECIES diversity
Abstract

Mid-Cretaceous amber from Northern Myanmar, also known as "burmite", contains the most productive and species-rich amber sites in the world. Up to now, 17 families of cockroaches in Burmese amber have been documented. However, only four extinct species of family Mesoblattinidae have been reported in Burmese amber so far: Spinaeblattina myanmarensis Hinkelman, 2019; Mesoblatta maxi Hinkelman, 2020; Cuniculoblatta brevialata Hinkelman, 2021; and Mongolblatta sendii Hinkelman, 2021. The new species Sivis tykadlo sp. n. described here on the basis of both sexes give us an opportunity to better understand the morphological and ecological characters of Cretaceous cockroaches and the entire fauna. An ecosystem with a humid climate in the mid-Cretaceous apparently enriched the diversity of cockroach species. This fossiliferous amber has produced more than 4,000 cockroach specimens of many different forms and lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2023
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2. Origins and diversity of spot-like aposematic and disruptive colorations among cockroaches.

Author

Hinkelman, Jan

Subjects
*COCKROACHES, *PTEROSAURIA, *DRAGONFLIES, *PREDATORY animals, *INSECTS, *LIZARDS
Abstract

Protective coloration is observed in numerous extant cockroach species and is prevalent among insects. Such coloration can signal nonprofitability of prey (aposematic) or serve as a camouflage (disruptive). An apparent aposematic isolated macula is identified here among the cockroach Facioblatta perfidia gen. et sp. n. (Liberiblattinidae) from Northern Myanmar amber. In total, 9 and 10 general coloration patterns related to spot-like patterns among extant and fossil species, respectively, are identified. Potential cockroach predators targeted with these patterns varied from dragonflies, small Jurassic pterosaurs and lizards, to Cretaceous and modern frogs, birds and insectivores. Patterns asynchronously appeared throughout the taxonomic spectrum suggesting that the elimination from predators combined with environmental factors influenced the spread of protective coloration among cockroaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2023
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3. Diversity of schizomids (Arachnida: Schizomida) revealed by new fossil genera and species from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber with implications for a Gondwanan origin of the Burma Terrane.

Author

Magnussen, Ilian De Francesco, Müller, Sandro P, Hammel, Jörg U, Kotthoff, Ulrich, and Harms, Danilo

Subjects
*AMBER, *FOSSILS, *ARACHNIDA, *SPECIES diversity, *SPECIES, *FOSSIL collection
Abstract

Short-tailed whipscorpions are a small arachnid order with 379 described species from (sub)tropical regions of the world. The order has a fragmentary fossil record but has left a rich, albeit hitherto undocumented, fossil legacy in mid-Cretaceous amber from Myanmar, also called Burmese amber or Burmite. Here, we review a large series of schizomids from this type of amber and propose four new genera for seven new species. In addition, we include a short revision of all schizomid genera based on 14 morphological characters. Although none of the fossils can be assigned to Recent genera, they resemble the modern fauna in general morphology and highlight relative morphological stasis in this arachnid order. The fossils show a general trend towards eye reduction, but some of the specimens retain corneate eyes. Comparative data suggest affinities of the fossils with the Recent Old World fauna rather than American relatives. Furthermore, the fossils provide evidence for a Gondwanan origin of the Burma Terrane. Overall, the data suggest a high diversity at both species and genus levels for Burmese amber schizomids. We discuss potential reasons for this richness that will probably necessitate the description of additional genera and species in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2022
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4. First Member of 'Higher Endomychidae' (Coleoptera: Coccinelloidea) from the Mid-Cretaceous Amber of Myanmar and New Insights into the Time of Origin of the Handsome Fungus Beetles †.

Author

Tomaszewska, Wioletta, Szawaryn, Karol, and Arriaga-Varela, Emmanuel

Subjects
*LADYBUGS, *CRETACEOUS Period, *BEETLES, *FUNGI, *SPECIES
Abstract

Simple Summary: We discovered an extinct handsome fungus beetle almost 100 million years old embedded in amber from Myanmar. Comparing and analyzing the characteristics of its body with those of other beetles of this family living today, we were able to find out which ones could be their closest relatives. What we discovered suggests that our beetle, representing a new genus and species, is a part of a group called "Higher Endomychidae". This group shares some features with members of the family Coccinellidae, the well-known ladybugs or ladybirds. Our finding supports the hypothesis that handsome fungus beetles (family Endomychidae) originated at least at the beginning of the Cretaceous period, and most probably in the Jurassic, coinciding with the heyday of dinosaurs on earth. A new genus and species of the family Endomychidae (Coleoptera: Coccinelloidea): Cretostenotarsus striatus Tomaszewska, Szawaryn and Arriaga-Varela gen. et sp. nov. are described, diagnosed and illustrated from the mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar. To test the systematic placement of the new extinct genus and species within the family, a phylogenetic analysis was conducted. A dataset of 38 morphological characters scored for 29 species (including the new fossil taxon), members of Endomychidae sensu stricto and representatives of Coccinelloidea as outgroups were analyzed using maximum parsimony. The results of the analysis indicate unequivocally that Cretostenotarsus striatus is a member of the Stenotarsus clade within a monophyletic 'endomychine complex' sensu Robertson et al. (2015), which corresponds to 'Higher Endomychidae' sensu Tomaszewska (2005). The present discovery confirms at least the Jurassic origin of Coccinelloidea and indicates a much older origin of Endomychidae than previously hypothesized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2022
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5. CONTRIBUTION TO THE SPIDER (ARANEIDA: ARANEAE AND CHIMERARACHNIDA) FAUA IN UPPER (MID) CRETACEOUS BURMESE (KACHIN) AMBER.

Author

WUNDERLICH, JOERG

Subjects
*SPIDER silk, *SPIDERS, *JUMPING spiders, *ARACHNIDA, *FUNGAL spores, *PHYLOGENY
Abstract

The following spider taxa (order Araneida) in Upper (Mid) Cretaceous Burmese (Kachin) amber (Burmite), 100-110 million years old, are described: (1) Suborder CHIMERARACHNIDA: Chimerarachnidae: Chimerarachne patrickmueller n. sp., C. alexbeigel n. sp. and C. spiniflagellum n. sp.; (2) Suborder ARANEAE: Scytodidae: ?Scytodes nonalta n. sp.; Tetrablemmidae: Electroblemma retroflectum n. sp., Kachinblemma constrictum n. gen. n. sp.; Uloboridae: Parakachin pectunculus n. gen. n. sp.; Protoaraneoididae: Spinipalpitibia occulta n. sp.; Megasetidae: Parvimegasetae araneoidea n. gen. n. sp.; ?Mysmenidae: Myanmarmysmena grandipalpus n. gen. n. sp.; Nanoaenigmatidae n. fam.: Nanoaenigma pumilio n. gen. n. sp.; Zarqaraneidae: Curvitibia pellucidus n. sp., ?Cornicaraneus unuspedipalpus n. sp., Gibberaraneoid furcula n. gen. n. sp. - Parachimerarachne WUNDERLICH 2022 is regarded as a junior synonym of Chimerarachne WANG et al. (2018) (n. syn.). Ideas regarding phylogeny and relationships of the suborder Chimerarachnida - including a revised diagnosis and the new term METACYMBIUM -, as well as of the high taxa Araneae, Araneida, Araneoidea and the symphytognathidan branch are presented. - The Cretaceous taxa represent a remarkable and unique MIX OF TAXA PRESERVED IN AMBER OF THE SAME DEPOSIT: (1) Both suborders of spiders (Araneae and Chimerarachnida), (2) the high branches Mesothelae, Mygalomorpha and Araneomorpha, and (3) ancestors of the RTA-clade as well as members of the very large branches Araneoidea, Deinopoidea and Synspermiata. - The present fossils offer keys (a) to the phylogeny of spiders (Araneida), and (b) to the knowledge of the origin(s) of the orb web; see the paper on extant spiders of the Algarve in this volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2023

6. EXPANDING THE RECORD OF LARVAE OF FALSE FLOWER BEETLES WITH PROMINENT TERMINAL ENDS.

Author

ZIPPEL, ANA, HAUG, CAROLIN, HOFFEINS, CHRISTEL, HOFFEINS, HANS-WERNER, and HAUG, JOACHIM T.

Subjects
*BEETLES, *EOCENE Epoch, *WOOD, *CARBON cycle, *FLOWERS, *AMBER, *LARVAE
Abstract

Beetle larvae contribute to the overall biomass with a great share, yet they often stay unnoticed and underexplored. Larvae of the group Scraptiidae, also called false flower beetles, lead a life hidden in the wood, not easily accessible for observers. There, they contribute to wood decomposition and carbon cycling. Even though their ecological role is of great importance, these larvae have been comparably rarely studied. This is true for extant as well as fossil representatives of this group. It seems that this knowledge gap is not based on the limited availability of material but results from insufficiently studied material. Here we report new specimens, of which seven are extant and twelve are fossil. Fossil specimens are either from 40-million-year-old Baltic amber (Eocene) or 100-million-year-old Myanmar amber (Cretaceous), the latter representing the oldest record of these larvae. All specimens considered here possess a large, elongated terminal end. We performed an outline analysis of the shape of this terminal end for all so far known larval specimens sufficiently well preserved (in total 33 specimens: 17 extant, 14 Eocene, 2 Cretaceous). There is a recognisable difference between Eocene and extant specimens, yet it remains unclear whether this is due to different represented larval stages or an effect of evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2022
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7. Morphological phylogenetics provide new insights into the classification and evolution of fossil soldier beetles from Mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (Coleoptera: Cantharidae).

Author

Hsiao, Yun, Li, Yun, Ren, Dong, and Pang, Hong

Subjects
*FOSSIL beetles, *AMBER, *CRETACEOUS Period, *PHYLOGENY, *BEETLES, *EDIACARAN fossils
Abstract

Cantharidae is a diverse group of soft-bodied beetles and frequently occurs in the Mid-Cretaceous (c. 99 Mya) amber of Myanmar. In the present paper, three new soldier beetles, Cretocantharis veda gen. & sp. nov. , Palaeocantharis panna gen. & sp. nov. and Hukawngichthyurus maha sp. nov. are reported. A phylogenetic reconstruction of Cantharidae, including all extant subfamilies and tribes, corroborates a distinct lineage comprising cantharine-like cantharids from Burmese amber as sister to Silini (Silinae), revealing that the current subfamilial placement is probably inadequate. Together with our results and recent molecular phylogenetic frameworks, it reveals that subfamilies of Cantharidae evolved during the Cretaceous period and highlights a probable Gondwanan ancestry of main cantharid groups. Our topology also proposes that the systematically controversial tribe Tytthonyxini of Silinae constitutes an independent clade sister to Malthininae, rather than the component of Silinae. Furthermore, Archaeomalthodes rosetta , previously placed in Malthininae, is recovered as a member of Dysmorphocerinae, representing the oldest fossil record for this subfamily and enhancing the Gondwanan origin hypothesis of Burmese amber biota. The previous interpretation of reticulated elytra as a lycid-mimicry for the Cretaceous cantharid fossils and pleisiomorphy of Cantharidae are challenged and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2021
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8. Burmese Amber Compared Using Micro-Attenuated Total Reflection Infrared Spectroscopy and Ultraviolet Imaging.

Author

Musa, Maya, Kaye, Thomas G., Bieri, Willy, and Peretti, Adolf

Subjects
*ATTENUATED total reflectance, *REFLECTANCE spectroscopy, *ULTRAVIOLET spectroscopy, *INFRARED spectroscopy, *SPECTRAL imaging, *FOURIER transform infrared spectroscopy
Abstract

Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) spectroscopy coupled with a microscope allows for the analysis of specimens without any preparation, spatially correlated with the morphology of the specimen. These characteristics make micro-ATR systems very useful for studying gemstones and in particular amber samples. Indeed, in this report, the micro-ATR technique was used to characterize three Burmite samples, as case studies. Particularly, focusing the ATR crystal spot on the amber surface where a difference in the Ultraviolet (UV) reaction was previously detected, thereby relative differences in the IR spectrum could be analyzed. Here we present a methodology combining the UV imaging technique with the micro-Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (micro-ATR/FT-IR) analyses, in order to correlate the fluorescence information with the molecular vibrational modes of amber and their relative spatial distribution. Finally, this work is intended as an initial methodology study and part of the amber characterization project, focused on characterizing the Burmese amber collection of the Peretti Museum Foundation from several disciplines (i.e., palaeoentomology, vibrational spectroscopy, neutron tomography, etc.). Graphical Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2021
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9. Transitional fossils illuminate early evolution of the ant-like stone beetle tribe Leptomastacini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae).

Author

Yin, Zi-Wei, Zhou, De-Yao, Cai, Chen-Yang, and Newton, Alfred F.

Subjects
*STAPHYLINIDAE, *BEETLES, *TRIBES, *FOSSILS, *EOCENE Epoch, *STONE, *EVOLUTIONARY theories
Abstract

The ant-like stone beetle supertribe Mastigitae (Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae) comprises nine extant and five extinct genera that exhibit unusual morphological specializations and ecological adaptions. Recent discoveries of mastigite fossils from Upper Cretaceous–middle Eocene deposits have significantly improved our knowledge of the evolutionary history of this group, yet a direct fossil record for two modern tribes of unclear affinities, i.e. Leptomastacini and Papusini, is lacking. Herein we describe a new genus and species, †Archemastax divida gen. et sp. nov., based on two well-preserved individuals entombed in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (c. 99 Ma), representing the earliest known representative of Leptomastacini. †Archemastax possesses both plesiomorphic and derived characters, with a few important traits shared with extant members of Papusini and Clidicini. A data set of 70 morphological characters scored for 29 species of Mastigitae was analysed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference; both analyses recovered a sister relationship between †Archemastax and extant leptomastacines. However, in the former analysis Leptomastacini was recovered as sister to the remaining Mastigitae, while the latter indicated an origin of Leptomastacini from within Clidicini. Although a close affinity between †Archemastax and Papusini was not supported by our analyses, similarities in some shared characters of these two groups are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2019
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10. A New Molecular Type of Amber for Burma (Myanmar).

Author

Lambert, Joseph B., Karlberg, Jonna M., Muppala, Natasha R., Contreras, Tayde A., Yuyang Wu, and Santiago-Blay, Jorge A.

Subjects
*NUCLEAR magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Abstract

Although all previously tested amber from Burma (Myanmar) belongs to NMR amber Group A, for the first time samples are reported with the characteristics of NMR Group B. Whereas Group A has a conifer source, Group B has angiosperms as its source. Thus, two very different types of ancient trees produced resins that led to amber from Burmese Cretaceous forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2019
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12. New dustywings (Neuroptera, Coniopterygidae) from mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar reveal spectacular diversity.

Author

Ružičková, Dominika, Nel, André, and Prokop, Jakub

Subjects
*NEUROPTERA, *AMBER, *ABDOMEN, *SPECIES, *FOSSILS
Abstract

Two new genera and species of Coniopterygidae (Neuroptera) are described and illustrated from mid Cretaceous (Cenomanian) amber of Myanmar. Mulleroconis hyalina gen. n. et sp. n., attributed to the Coniopteryginae, bears a unique combination of venation characters and an abdomen without plicatures. The second new genus, attributed to the Aleuropteryginae, i.e. Palaeoconis azari gen. n. et sp. n., displays a unique pattern of crossveins 1m-cua and 2mp2-cua, with the latter crossing the pigmented spot. A check-list of all fossil genera and species of Coniopterygidae is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2019
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14. WHY DID SO MANY EXTINCT FAMILIES OF SPIDERS (ARANEAE) EXIST IN THE MID CRETACEOUS BURMESE AMBER AND WHY DID THE DIVERSIFICATION OF ARANEOMORPH SPIDERS HAPPEN SO LATE AND RAPIDLY?

Author

WUNDERLICH, JOERG

Subjects
*SPIDERS, *GEOLOGY, *BURMESE, *RAIN forests
Abstract

The reasons for the high rate of extinction of spider (Araneae) families - 27 of ca. 48 = 56 % - in Burmese amber are discussed and compared with the rates of other arachnid orders and with certain orders of insects. The high extinction rate of the Araneae is regarded as possibly connected with the CT (K-Pg) boundary events which caused enormous global changes - of the ecology, the geology, the climate, the fauna and the flora - as well as with the rapid and late (Palaeogene) diversification of the advanced araneomorph spiders of the Dipneumonomorpha (namely the Araneoidea and the RTA-clade) after the CT boundary events during probably only less than 15 million years. Although the members of the RTA-clade and most families of the Araneoidea were absent, the diversity of families of the Burmese amber forest was higher than the diversity of certain tropical rain forests in southwest China today in which the Synspermiata are underrepresented and members of the RTA-clade are overrepresented in contrast to the fauna in Burmite in which the RTA-clade is absent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2020

15. NEW AND ALREADY DESCRIBED FOSSIL SPIDERS (ARANEAE) OF 20 FAMILIES IN MID AND LATE CRETACEOUS BURMESE AMBERS, WITH NOTES ON SPIDER PHYLOGENY, EVOLUTION AND CLASSIFICATION.

Author

WUNDERLICH, JOERG

Subjects
*FAMILIES, *AMBER, *BURMESE, *CLADISTIC analysis, *ATYPIDAE
Abstract

An emended classification and cladograms of high taxa of the Aeaneae are provided. Ca. 48 families of spiders (Araneae) in Mid Cretaceous Burmese amber are listed; the report of the families Atypidae, Idiopidae and Ochyroceratidae is doubtful. The spiders of the Infraorder MYGALOMORPHA are treated, a provisional key to its families is given. The 9 superfamilies of the diverse clade SYNSPERMIATA are diagnosed, 20 families, 11 are known in Burmite, 5 are extinct. Synspermiata contains the three subclades Caponiomorpha, Dysderomorpha and Pholcomorpha. Ca. three quarters of haplogyne families in Burmite are members of the Synspermiata. I call the Cretaceous the "age of Synspermiata and Palpimanoidea (= Archaeoidea)". The colulate and basically eight-eyed Synspermiata is actually not any more regarded as sister group of the family Filistatidae but of the clade CRIBELLATAE in a new sense which includes several diverse branches. Hence the name Basalhaplogynae WUNDERLICH 2019 is superfluous (name rejected). In my opinion the cribellum originated only once. The taxon Microsegestriinae WUNDERLICH 2004 (under Segestriidae) in Lebanese amber is now regarded as a questionable member of the superfamily Dysderoidea, probably Oonopidae (quest. n. relat.). Segestrioidea is split off from the Dysderoidea and contains three families. The family Ariadnidae WUNDERLICH 2004 (n. stat., elevated from Ariadninae) is unknown in Burmite. Jordansegestria WUNDERLICH 2015 with its generotype J. detruneo in Jordanian amber is regarded as a synonym of Parvosegestria WUNDERLICH 2015 of the new family Parvosegestriidae (n. syn. & n. relat.), based on Parvosegestria WUNDERLICH 2015. The genus Denticulsegestria WUNDERLICH 2015 is regarded as a synonym of Parvosegestria (n. syn.). The synonymy of Myansegestria WUNDERLICH 2015 with Parvosegestria is not excluded (n. quest. syn.). Magnosegestria tuber n. gen. n. sp. - a questionable member of the Segestriidae - in Burmite is described. The holotype of Magnosegestria tuber is considered to be the prey of a mygalomorph spider. Burmorsolidae WUNDERLICH 2015 (n. stat.) (from Burmorsolini) is transferred from the Plumorsolidae to the new superfamily Burmorsoloidea (n. relat.). With some hesitation the extant family Trogloraptoridae GRISWOLD et al. 2012 from Noth America is regarded as related to the Burmorsolidae (quest. n. relat.). Loxodercinae WUNDERLICH 2017 has previously been transferred from the family Eopsilodercidae WUNDERLICH 2008 to the Segestriidae: Segestriinae but is now regarded as a synonym of the Burmorsolidae (n. syn.). Burmorsolidae (under Burmorosolini) has erroneously been described by WUNDERLICH (2015) as a member of the family Plumorsolidae WUNDERLICH 2008. Plumorsolidae is known in Lebanese amber but is unknown in Burmese amber. This family is now regarded as a plesion, probably of the branch Dipneumonomorpha: Oecobioidea? (quest. n. relat.). Plumorsolidae in the previous sense of WUNDERLICH is not a monophyletic taxon: Loxoderces WUNDERLICH 2017 and Pseudorsolus WUNDERLICH 2017 are regarded as junior synonyms of Burmorsolus WUNDERLICH 2015 (n. syn.) of the family Burmorsolidae. - The relationships of the family Copaldictynidae WUNDERLICH 2004 n. stat. of the new taxon Agelenomorpha in subrecent COPAL FROM MADAGASCAR is revised and regarded as related to the extant families Titanoecidae and Nicodamidae of the Nicodamoidea (n. relat.). - The following FURTHER NEW TAXA are described (Burmorsoloidea and Segestrioidea: See above): Ctenizidae: Parvocteniza parvula n. gen. n. sp.; Nemesiidae: Burmesia sordida n. gen. n. sp., Myannemesia glaber n. gen. n. sp.; Theraphosidae: Protertheraphosinae n. subfam. based on Protertheraphosa spinosa n. gen. n. sp.; Oonopidae: Burmorchestina circular n. sp.; Burmorsolidae: Burmorsolus: globosus n. sp., longembolus n. sp. and longibulbus n. sp.; Eopsilodercidae: Propterpsiloderces crassitibia n. sp., P. cymbioseta n. sp., P. duplex n. sp.; Psilodercidae: Priscaleclercera furcate n. sp., P. hamo n. sp., P. liber n. sp.; the family Aliendiguetidae n. fam., a plesion probably close to the Ochyroceratoidea and Plectreuroidea, based on Aliendiguetia praecursor n. gen. n. sp.; Praepholcidae n. stat., from Eopsilodercidae: Praepholcinae: Hamoderces opilionoides n. gen. n. sp.; Tetrablemmidae: Bicornoculus granulans n. sp., Cymbioblemma fusca n. sp., C. hamoembolus n. sp., Electroblemma bifurcate n. sp., E. caula n. sp., E. pinnae n. sp., Eogamasomorpha rostratis n. sp., Unicornutiblemma n. gen., U. brevicornis n. gen., U. gracilicornis n. sp., U. longicornis n. sp.; Hersiliidae: ?Burmesiola kachinensis n. sp.; Archaeidae: ?Burmesarchea bilongapophyses n. sp.; Pholcochyroceridae: Spinicreber vacuus n. sp.; Praearaneidae: Praearaneus araneoides n. sp.; Zarqaraneidae: Palazarqaraneus hamulus n. gen. n. sp., Paurospina fastigata n. sp. ?Baalzebub mesozoicum PENNEY 2014 from the Late Cretaceous OF FRANCE (under Theridiosomatidae) is transferred to the family Zarqaraneidae (n. relat.) and regarded as the member of an undescribed genus. - A note on Burmese Tilin amber is added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2020

16. A review of Burmese amber arachnids.

Author

Selden, Paul A. and Ren, Dong

Subjects
*ARACHNIDA ecology, *ARTHROPODA behavior, *ARTHROPODA classification, *HABITATS, *PARASITIFORMES, *RAIN forests
Abstract

Fossils from the mid-Cretaceous (c. 99 Ma) Myanmar (Burma) amber include all extant orders of Arachnida, including the earliest representatives of Schizomida, Parasitiformes, and Palpigradi. Schizomids are figured from Burmese amber herein for the first time. The most abundant and diverse arachnid order is the Araneae, with 38 families, 93 genera, and 165 species recorded to date. The araneofauna is dominated by haplogynes and palpimanoids, whilst araneoids are rare and members of the RTA clade absent. The arachnofauna is typical of a tropical rainforest habitat, which concurs with evidence from other Burmese amber biota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2017
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17. WHAT IS A SPIDER? CRETACEOUS FOSSILS MODIFY STRONGLY PHYLOGENETICS AS WELL AS DIAGNOSES OF FAMILIES, SUPERFAMILIES AND EVEN SUBORDERS OF SPIDERS (ARANEIDA) AND OTHER ARTHROPODS.

Author

WUNDERLICH, JOERG

Subjects
*SPIDERS, *PHYLOGENY, *HYPOCHILIDAE, *ARACHNIDA, *SPINNERET (Anatomy)
Abstract

The basal branchings of spider evolution are treated, based on selected characters of extinct and extant taxa. The orders Uraraneida (extinct) and Araneida (in a new sense) have been united in the superorder Serikodiastida by GARWOOD & DUNLOP 2014. A strongly modified classification of the order Araneida is presented, including the extinct order Chimerarachnida WUNDERLICH 2018, based on the Chimerarachnidae n. fam., and its sister suborder, the Araneae. The taxon Araneae is used in the traditional sense; it includes all Araneida (except the Chimerarachnida): The suborders Mesothelae and Opisthothelae, see fig. A. Opisthothelae includes (a) the Basalhaplogynae (Synspermiata - e. g. Dysderidae and Pholcidae - and Filistatidae) and (b) its sister group, the Neocribellatae (new sense): The Hypochilidae and its sister group, the "Praeentelegyne" (new name): The Austrochiloidea and its sister group, the Dipneumonomorpha (= Entelegynae): All the remining taxa like Archaeidae, Oecobiidae, Araneidae and taxa of the RTA-clade (e.g. Lycosidae and Salticidae). The taxon Cleistospermiata WUNDERLICH 2015 has to be deleted. - Further main ideas/results of this study regard the evolution of spiders: (1) The posterior pair of lungs was lost three times; (2) the anterior pair of median spinnerets were displaced two times by a cribellum (in the Neoribellatae and in the Filistatidae; a reversal is unknown to me) and were probably displaced DIRECTLY by a colulus in the Synspermiata which ancestor did not possess a cribellum; (3) the mediognath position of the basal cheliceral articles evolved at least three times separately: In the Mesothelae, within certain Mygalomorpha as well as in the Araneomorpha; (4) the labidognathy evolved two times: In the Basalhaplogynae and in the Dipneumonomorpha. - The phylogeny of the Mesothelae is discussed, the translocation of the spinnerets in the anterior direction during the evolution of the Mesothelae is documented by fossils. The diagnoses of the Mesothelae and of certain spider families have to be strongly modified if fossil taxa are included and mainly apomorphic characters are used. The Cretaceous mesothelid new family Eomesothelidae - based on Eomesothele noninclinata n. gen. n. sp. - and the probably confamiliar Intermesiothele pulcher n. gen. n. sp. are described. Notes are given on faunistic changes, relic and extinct taxa, as well as additions and corrections regarding vol. 11 (2018) of the Beitr. Araneol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2019

18. A preliminary synopsis on amber scorpions with special reference to Burmite species: an extraordinary development of our knowledge in only 20 years.

Author

Lourenço, Wilson R.

Subjects
*SCORPIONS, *ARACHNIDA classification, *INVERTEBRATE development, *ARACHNIDA ecology, *CRETACEOUS paleogeography
Abstract

A preliminary study on fossil scorpions found in amber, from the Lower Cretaceous through the Palaeocene and up to the Miocene is proposed. Scorpions remain rare among the arthropods found trapped in amber. Only 24 specimens are known from Cretaceous amber, representing eight families and subfamilies, ten genera and 21 species; in parallel, 10 specimens have been recorded from Baltic amber representing seven genera and ten species. A few more recent fossils from Dominican and Mexican amber have also been described. The present study of a new scorpion specimen from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar (Burmite) resulted in the description of one new species, Betaburmesebuthus bellus sp. n. - belonging to the subfamily Palaeoburmesebuthinae Lourenço, 2015. The new description brings further elements to the clarification of the status of this subfamily, which is now raised to family level. Once again, this new Burmite element attests to the considerable degree of diversity in the Burmese amber-producing forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2016
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19. FOSSIL SPIDERS (ARANEAE) IN CRETACEOUS BURMESE AMBER.

Author

WUNDERLICH, JOERG and MÜLLER, PATRICK

Subjects
*FOSSIL spiders, *PHYLOGENY, *ULOBORIDAE, *SCYTODIDAE
Abstract

Recently discovered connecting („missing") links in Mid Cretaceous Burmese amber provide significant insight deep into the phylogeny of certain higher taxa of spiders (Araneae: Araneomorpha). It is assumed that the Jurassic and Cretaceous cribellate superfamily Pholcochyroceroidea (Mongolarachnidae and Pholcochyroceridae) may play a „key role" in understanding the phylogeny of the Deinopoidea and probably of other superfamilies. The origin of the spider superfamily Araneoidea is discussed; its origin and the - probably DOUBLE - ORIGIN OF THE ORB WEB may be better understandable with the help of Cretaceous fossils: According to the existence of a large and erect paracymbium the extinct new families Protoaraneoididae and Zarqaraneidae may connect the superfamilies Leptonetoidea and Araneoidea as „missing links" and the basically cribellate superfamily Leptonetoidea is considered to be the sister group of the Araneoidea (fig. C) (rev. diagn.). If so the orb web should have evolved in the Araneoidea independently to the Deinopoidea; "Orbiculariae" is regarded to be only a descriptive but not a taxonomic term. The Cretaceous eighteyed extinct leptonetoid families Praeterleptonetidae (n. diagn.) (ecribellate, the genera Praeterleptoneta and Palaeohygropoda) and Protoaraneoididae n. fam. (cri bellate, 4 genera) are regarded as (near) the sister group of the six-eyed Leptonetidae + Telemidae (fig. B). - Based on recently identified Cretaceous fossils the symphytognathoid branch - they include the families Theridiosomatidae (most probably Cretaceous - but not known in Burmite) and the extinct Cretaceous new family Cretamysmenidae - are regarded to be part of the sister group of the Araneidae and its relatives. These derived orb weaving taxa are considered to be the sister group of the Linyphioid branch + the Spineless Femur Clade, which build irregular capture webs - like their ancestor of/near the leptonetoid branch, see fig. C - but did never possess an orb web. - The new findings in Cretaceous spider taxa turn out to be in strong contrast to most phylogenomic results. It is suggested that no sure Mesozoic proof of the Linyphioid branch exist. To my recent knowledge these families have to be removed from the Mesozoic fauna (like all taxa of the RTA-clade), but taxa of the spineless femur-clade (Cretamysmenidae and Theridiidae) in Burmite are known. Few taxa in Burmite are discussed as predecessors or even basal members of the RTA-clade. - SYONOMYMY, NEW RELAT. and NEW STAT.: The Jurassic genus Zhizhu SELDEN et al. (2016) is supposed to be a member of the family Mongolarachnidae, probably closely related to the Juraraneidae and both may be members of the Pholcochyroceroidea. The subfamily Loxodercinae WUNDERLICH 2017 of the Eopsilodercidae is transferred to the Segestriidae SIMON 1893 (n. rel..) and regarded as a tribe of the Segestriinae (n. relat. & n. stat.). The extinct taxon Palaeoleptonetinae WUNDERLICH 2012 (Leptonetidae) in Burmite is downgraded to the level of a tribe - Palaeoleptonetini (n. stat.) - of the Leptonetinae; a functioning cribellum is apparently absent in this tribe. - The following NEW TAXA in Mid Cretaceous Burmite are described: (a) PHOLCOCHYROCEROIDEA: Pholcochyroceridae: Parvibulbus incompletus n. gen. n. sp., Pholcochyrocer calidum n. sp. and P. vermiculus n. sp.; (b) DEINOPOIDEA: Alteruloboridae n. fam. including Alteruloborus araneoidea n. gen. n. sp., Fraterteruloboridae n. fam. including Frateruloborus bulbosus n. gen. n. sp. and Uloboridae: Burmasuccinus bulla n. gen. n. sp., Kachin serratus n. sp., Paramiagrammopes pusillus n. sp., Eotibiaoapophysini n. trib. (questionable member of the Uloboridae) with Eotibiaapophysis reliquus n. gen. n. sp. (c) LEPTONETOIDEA: Protoaraneoididae n. fam. including Protoaraneoides longispina n. gen. n. sp., Proaraneoides cribellatum n. gen. n. sp., Praeteraraneoides bifurcatum n. gen. n. sp., P. bipartitum n. gen. n. sp., P. leni n. gen. n. sp., and Spinipalpitibia hirsuta n. sp.; Leptonetidae: Palaeoleptoneta nils n. sp. and P. thilo n. sp. (d) ARANEOIDEA: The tribe Biapophysini WUNDERLICH 2015 is regarded as a probable member (plesion) of the leptonetoid-araneoid branch. Zarqaraneidae: Crassitibia baculum n. sp. and the new genera Alteraraneus, Burmaforceps, Converszarqaraneus, Cornicaraneus, Microproxiaraneus, Paurospina, Proxiaraneus, Ramozarqaraneus and Spinicymbium. The family Burmascutidae WUNDERLICH 2008 is regarded as a member of the Araneoidea, probably related to the Araneidae, Burmascutum brevis n. sp. is described. Leviunguidae n. fam. is described with 12 n. sp. of Leviunguis WUNDERLICH 2012; Theridiidae: Cretotheridiinae WUNDERLICH 2017: Burmatheridion sinespinae n. gen. n. sp.; Cretamysmenidae n. fam. including Cretamysmena fontana n. gen. n. sp. of the symphytognathoid subbranch. - Keys are given, e. g., to the families of the superfamilies Araneoidea and Leptonetoidea in Burmese amber. Some Information concerning Cretaceous spiders (mainly in Burmite) - faunistics, behaviour, ecology and phylogeny - are given; a member each of the families Cyrtauceniidae or Nemesiida, Scytodidae and Theraphosidae (new to the fauna in Burmese amber) are reported but not described in detail or named. The taxonomical value of the leg autotomy is shortly discussed. Remains of the oldest known orb webs - of cribellate spiders - are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2018

20. NEW AND RARE FOSSIL SPIDERS (ARANEAE) IN MID CRETACEOUS AMBER FROM MYANMAR (BURMA), INCLUDING THE DESCRIPTION OF NEW EXTINCT FAMILIES OF THE SUBORDERS MESOTHELAE AND OPISTHOTHELAE, AS WELL AS NOTES ON THE TAXONOMY, THE EVOLUTION AND THE BIOGEOGRAPHY OF THE MESOTHELAE

Author

WUNDERLICH, JOERG

Subjects
*FOSSIL spiders, *PHYLOGENY, *MOLECULAR genetics, *MESOZOIC paleontology
Abstract

New results on spider's evolution, extinctions, palaeofaunas, palaeogeography, palaeobehaviour, palaeoecology and phylogeny are dealt with. The composition of the Cretaceous spider fauna - at least 35 families are reported - indicates a global change of this fauna, and probably the most pronounced revolution of spider evolution and diversification, which could have happened during the Palaeocene. The KT events caused a distinct faunal cut in spiders: 16 of the families in Burmite are extinct. - Probably (a taxon near) the sister group of the diverse superfamily Araneoidea has been found within fossil spiders in Burmite: the new cribellate family Praearaneidae. I do not want to exclude that the branch which includes Burmadictynidae n. fam. + Salticoididae may be the sister to the superfamilies Araneoidea + Deinopoidea. - The results of phylogenomics are partly not in accord with findings concerning fossil spiders. - The following fossil spider (Araneae) TAXA in Mid Cretaceous Burmite are described/treated: (a) MESOTHELAE: BURMATHELIDAE n. fam.: Burmathele biseriata n. gen. n. sp.; CRETACEOTHELIDAE n. fam.: Cretaceothele lata WUNDERLICH 2015; PARVITHELIDAE n. fam.: Parvithele muelleri n. gen. n. sp., Parvithele spinipes n. gen. n. sp. and Pulvillothele haupti n. gen. n. sp. The extant families Liphistiidae and Heptathelidae are regarded as families of their own but not as subfamilies and are unknown from fossils. Mainly the oldest fossil Mesothelae need a revision. A provisional chronocladogram of the higher extinct and extant taxa as well as notes on the historical biogeography and the evolution of the Mesothelae are given. (b) OPISTHOTHELAE: Mygalomorpha: DIPLURIDAE: Cethegoides patricki n. gen. n. sp.; HEXATHELIDAE: Alioatrax incertus n. gen. n. sp. - Araneomorpha: SEGESTRIIDAE; PLUMORSOLIDAE: Pseudorsolus n. gen.; OONOPIDAE: Orchestiniinae: Burmorchestina acuminata n. sp., B. biangulata n. sp., B. plana n. sp., B. pulcher WUNDERLICH 2008, B. pulcheroides n. sp., B. tuberosa n. sp.; TETRABLEMMIDAE: Brignoliblemma bizarre n. gen. n. sp., B. nala n. gen. n. sp., B. paranala n. gen. n. sp., Cymbioblemma corniger n. gen. n. sp., Electroblemma bifida SELDEN et al. 2016, Eogamasomorpha ?clara WUNDERLICH 2015, E. hamata n. sp., ?E. unicornis n. sp., ?E. sp. with its capture web, Furcembolus crassitibia n. sp., F. grossa n. sp., F. longior n. sp., Longissithorax myanmarensis n. gen. n. sp., Longithorax furca n. gen. n. sp., Palpalpaculla pulcher n. gen. n. sp.; EOPSILODERCIDAE: Eopsiloderces serenitas WUNDERLICH 2015, Praepholcinae n. subfam., Praepholcus huberi n. gen. n. sp., Loxodercinae n. subfam., Loxoderces longicymbium n. gen. n. sp., L. curvatus n. gen. n. sp., L. rectus n. gen. n. sp.; PSILODERCIDAE: Aculeatosoma pyritmutatio n. gen. n. sp., Priscaleclercera n. gen., P. paucispina n. gen. n. sp., P. brevispina n. gen. n. sp., P. spinata (DEELEMAN-REINHOLD 1995 n. comb. (extant), P. sexaculeata (WUNDERLICH 2015) n. comb.; PHOLCOCHYROCEROIDEA n. superfam.: MONGOLARACHNIDAE: Longissipalpus cochlea n. sp., L. magnus WUNDERLICH 2015, Pedipalparaneus seldeni WUNDERLICH 2015; PHOLCOCHYROCERIDAE: Pholcochyrocer altipecten n. sp.; Leptonetidae: Palaeoleptoneta crus n. sp.; TELEMIDAE: ?Telemophila crassifemoralis n. sp.; PRAETERLEPTONETIDAE: Autotomiana WUNDERLICH 2015 is transferred from the Praeterleptonetidae to the Pholcochyroceridae (n. relat.) ARCHAEIDAE: Burmesarchaea alissa n. sp., B. caudata n. sp., B. crassicaput n. sp., B. crassichaelae n. sp., B. gibber n. sp., B. gibberoides n. sp., B. grimaldii (PENNEY 2003), B. longicollum n. sp., B. propinqua n. sp., B. pseudogibber n. sp., B. pustulata n. sp., B. quadrata n. sp., B. speciosa (WUNDERLICH 2008) (n. comb.), Eomysmauchenius dubius n. sp., ?E. longissipes (WUNDERLICH 2015), E. septentrionalis n. sp.; Planarchaeini n. trib., Planarchaea kopp WUNDERLICH 2015, P. oblonga n. sp., P. ovata n. sp.; Filiauchenius WUNDERLICH 2008 ?= Planarchaea WUNDERLICH 2008 (questionable n. syn.), Lacunauchenius WUNDERLICH 2008 = Burmesarchaea WUNDERLICH 2008 (n. syn.), Lacunauchenius speciosus WUNDERLICH 2008 (the type species) and L. pilosus WUNDERLICH 2015 are transferred to Burmesarchaea (n. comb.); LAGONOMEGOPIDAE: Albiburmops annulipes n. gen. n. sp., ?Parviburmops bigibber n. sp., ?Paxillomegops cornutus n. sp., Planimegops parvus n. gen. n. sp.; SPATIATORIDAE: Spatiatoridae indet.; VETIATORIDAE n. stat. (from Vetiatorinae of the Spatiatoridae): Pekkachilus vesica n. gen. n. sp. Vetiator gracilipes WUNDERLICH 2015; STENOCHILIDAE (extant); MICROPALPIMANIDAE: Micropalpimanus poinari WUNDERLICH 2008, PALPIMANIDAE: Chediminae indet.; OECOBIIDAE; ?DEINOPIDAE: Deinopedes tranquillus n. gen. n. sp.; BURMADICTYNIDAE n. fam.: Burmadictyna postcopula n. sp., Eodeinopis longipes n. gen. n. sp.; ULOBORIDAE: Furculoborus patellaris n. gen. n. sp., Kachin fruticosus n. gen. n. sp., K. fruticosoides n. gen. n. sp., Propterkachin magnooculus n. gen. n. sp.; PRAEARANEIDAE n. fam: Praearaneus bruckschi n. gen. n. sp.; THERIDIOSOMATIDAE; a quite questionable member indet. of the RTA-CLADE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2017

21. PALAEOBIOGEOGRAPHY AND PHYLOGENOMICS - FOSSIL PROOFS CONTRA RESULTS FROM MOLECULAR GENETIC: THE CASE OF MESOZOIC SEGMENTED SPIDERS (ARANEAE: MESOTHELAE).

Author

WUNDERLICH, JOERG

Subjects
*MOLECULAR genetics, *FOSSIL spiders, *PHYLOGENY, *PALEOGENE
Abstract

The finds of Mid Cretaceous South East Asian fossils of the spider suborder Mesothelae (Araneae) are compared with results of molecular genetical (e. g. mtDNA) investigations of extant spiders. The proof of these fossils contradict conclusions by molecular genetical studies and even may falsify these conclusions: The Mesothelae did not invade South East Asia in the Palaeogene for the first time but their members lived already in this region for million of years. Fossils possess a great importance regarding the historical biogeography, evolution and phylogeny: Based on the asiatic fossils an Euroamerican origin of the suborder Mesothelae appears quite doubtful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2017

22. NEW EXTINCT TAXA OF THE ARACHNID ORDER RICINULEI, BASED ON NEW FOSSILS PRESERVED IN MID CRETACEOUS BURMESE AMBER.

Author

WUNDERLICH, JOERG

Subjects
*ARACHNIDA, *FOSSIL spiders, *CRETACEOUS Period, *ANIMALS
Abstract

The Cretaceous families Hirsutisomidae n. fam. and Monooculricinuleidae n. fam. (Arachnida: Ricinulei: Suborder Primoricinulei WUNDERLICH 2015) in Burmese amber from Myanmar (Burma) are described including five new species of two genera: Hirsutisoma n. gen: acutiformis n. sp., bruckschi n. sp., denticulata n. sp., and Monooculricinuleus n. gen.: incisus n. sp. and semiglobolus n. sp. The first known fossil adult male of the order Ricinulei, a dwarf member of the genus Hirsutisoma is described. The relationships of ?Poliochera cretacea WUNDERLICH 2012 (suborder Posteriorricinulei) remain unsure. Findings of the fossil taxa provide new insight on the basic characters, the relationships, the evolution, the extinction, the life style, the behaviour and the biogeography of the order Ricinulei; a revised diagnosis of this order is given. The present fossils document examplarily the change of the life style during hundred million years in a whole arthropod order, the Ricinulei. Probably "modern" (post-mesozoic) spiders (Araneae) of the RTA-clade displaced/restricted the members of a whole arthropod order - the Ricinulei - to hidden species of a relict taxon of today. The taxonomy of the diverse Cretaceous Ricinulei remains not well-known but especially the Carboniferous ricinuleid taxa need a revision. Notes are given on the enigmatic Carboniferous genus Idmonarachne GARWOOD et al. 2016 - which is considered here to be probably a member of the order Trigonotarbida, not close to the order Araneae -, and on the Devonian genus Palaeocharinus HIRST 1923 (Trigonotarbida). It is not excluded that Ricinulei and Trigonotarbidae have to be united in a single order, the Trigonotarbida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2017

23. FROZEN BEHAVIOUR: THE OLDEST KNOWN ATTACK OF A FOSSIL SPIDER BY A PREDATORY MITE IN MID CRETACEOUS BURMESE AMBER (ARANEAE: OONOPIDAE AND ACARI: BDELLIDAE).

Author

WUNDERLICH, JOERG

Subjects
*SPIDERS, *FOSSIL arachnida, *OONOPIDAE, *MITES, *BDELLIDAE
Abstract

The interaction of a pair of predatory fossil arachnids (Acari: Bdellidae and Araneae: Oonopidae: Orchestininae) in Mid Cretaceous Burmese amber is shortly described and discussed: A mite attacked, spun in and apparently sucked out an oonopid spider. This is the geologically oldest report of such a behaviour. These fossil arachnids demonstrate that spiders were the prey of mites already 100 million years ago, and a peculiar spinning ability and capturing behaviour of the family Bdellidae already existed at this time like in today's mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2017

24. „FROZEN BEHAVIOUR“: THE OLDEST FOSSIL PROOFS OF SPIDER EATING SPIDERS (ARANEAE) IN 45 MILLION YEARS OLD EOCENE BALTIC AMBER AND IN 100 MILLION YEARS OLD CRETACEOUS AMBER OF MYANMAR (BURMITE).

Author

Wunderlich, Joerg

Subjects
*SPIDER behavior, *CANNIBALISM, *CRETACEOUS Period, *EOCENE paleontology, *FOSSIL fuels
Abstract

Araneophagy by fossil spiders is shortly discussed. Reports of spider eating spiders (Araneae) are treated: (a) in Eocene Baltic amber: For the first time a member of the extinct family Spatiatoridae - a member of the mainly spider-feeding superfamily Archaeoidea - is described capturing a female of the spider family Synotaxidae. A member of the family Archaeidae capturing a female Theridiidae and a member of the family Mimetidae in the web of two Linyphiidae have previously been reported and are shortly repeated. (b) in Cretaceous amber (Burmite) a member of the extinct family Lagonomegopidae (Archaeoidea) is described which has been captured, spun in and sucked out probably by a mygalomorph spider of the family Dipluridae. A member of the family Spatiatoridae in Burmite is also reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2015

25. ON THE EVOLUTION AND THE CLASSIFICATION OF SPIDERS, THE MESOZOIC SPIDER FAUNAS, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW CRETACEOUS TAXA MAINLY IN AMBER FROM MYANMAR (BURMA) (ARACHNIDA: ARANEAE).

Author

WUNDERLICH, JOERG

Subjects
*SPIDERS, *BIODIVERSITY, *ANIMAL sexual behavior, *ANIMAL diversity
Abstract

The Mesozoic spider (Araneae) faunas - mainly preserved in ambers - are listed and discussed, their evolution, fauna and biogeography are dealt with. Observations on the behaviour and the biology of Mesozoic spiders are treated, e. g. parts of capture webs, prey, an egg sac, camouflage, the first case of a mating plug and genital selfmutilation of a male in 100 million year-old Burmese amber. - The mesozoic spider fauna of mainly higher strata (preserved in amber, besides relatively few taxa in stone) has turned out to be strongly dominated by haplogyne taxa besides members of the entelegyne Deinopoidea: Uloboridae. Taxa of the ecribellate Araneoidea are extremely rare, few reports of the families Nephilidae, Zygiellidae and probably Theridiidae exist. Sure Mesozoic reports of members of the today most diverse Linyphiidae and of the RTA-clade like Salticidae or Lycosidae are missing (!). So apparently most families of spiders radiated - or even originated - only DURING A SIXTH of the 400 million years of spider evolution. - Diversity of the faunas and extinctions: See the list of the families and the annotated list. - The results of my (preliminary) studies of the Mesozoic (mainly Cretaceous) spider faunas are as follows: - Up to 39 families are reported, the determination of 7 or 8 of these is unsure, only 9 (less than a third of the surely reported 30 families) are entelegyne. - Almost all of these families are reported from the Cretaceous; the Juraraneidae are only known from the Jurassic, the Mongolarachnidae from the Jurassic to the Cretaceous, Spatiatoridae from the Cretaceous to the Eocene (Baltic amber). Mesothelae - probably the only spiders of the Palaeozoicum and surviving up to now - are reported first from Mid Cretaceous Burmese amber (Burmite). - 12 (more than one third) of the surely reported families are extinct; only one of these, the Spatiatoridae, survived up to the Eocene. Besides the mygalomorph Fossilcalcaridae all the extinct families are members of the Haplogynae. - Ca. 110 genera are reported: 1 of the Mesothelae, 11 of the Mygalomorpha, ca. 100 of the Araneomorpha: Up to 78 of the Haplogynae (incl. the Archaeoidea) and and ca. 25 of the Entelegynae (= 1/4 of the Araneomorpha). - Most genera are only known from the Cretaceous; 5 from the Triassic: Ambiortiphagus (?Atypidae), Argyrarachne (Araneomorpha indet.), Mesaranea (Araneoidea indet.), Rosamygale (?Hexathelidae) and Triasaraneus (Araneomorpha indet.); 5 from the Jurassic: Eoplectreurys (Plectreuridae), Juraraneus (Juraraneidae), Jurarchaea (Archaeidae), Sinaranea (fam.?) and Tatbragaraneus (Uloboridae): The only genus of the Entelegynae. - Members of only very few genera - all are members of the Haplogynae - survived up to now, probably Orchestina (Oonopidae), Leclercera (Psilodercidae) and Scytodes (Scytodidae). - CIBELLATE genera: (a) Araneomorpha: ca. 25 % in the Cretaceous but only ca. 10 % in the Eocene Baltic amber forest; (b) Araneoidea: > 50 % in the Cretaceous but only ca. 7 % in the Eocene (in which ecribellate members of the RTA-clade dominate). A strong removal of cribellate genera exist during more than 100 million of years. - Ca. 140 Mesozoic SPIDER SPECIES are known. No Mesozoic species survived up to now or is known to survive up to the Eocene (e.g. to the Baltic amber forest). Erroneous, dubious and incorrect determinations and conclusions are discussed; reports of several spider (sub)families like Araneidae, Deinopidae, Linyphiidae, Mecysmaucheniinae (sub Mecysmaucheniidae) and Tetragnathidae have to be deleted from the list of Mesozoic spiders. - Considerable results of this study regard the phylogeny and evolution of spiders. Some ideas on the - mainly palaeozoic and mesozoic - early evolution of spiders including a chronocladogram, the classification of spiders and hypothetic extinct taxa as well as a list of the main innovations in the long evolution of spiders are treated. A TWICE ORIGIN OF THE CRIBELLUM is accepted. The possibele existence of two „BIG BANGS OF SPIDER RADIATION” is discussed which probably happened (1) just after the mass extinction events during the Triassic: the „Triassic explosion of the Cribellates” (Haplogynae and Entelegynae part (a): Oecobioidea and Araneoidea including the deinopoid branch), and (2) the „Plaeocene explosion” (after the KT-events) of members of the Entelegynae part (b), the RTA-clade. The origin and diversification of orb-weaving Araneoidea is found much older than the origin of the not orb-weaving families like Linyphiidae and Theridiidae. This find indicate that the araneoid kinds of irregular capture webs derived from the orb web but not the reverse. Results of moleculargenetic studies are not compatible with proofs of fossil taxa. - Taxonomy: Transfers: The Cretaceous taxon Archaemecys arcantiensis SAUPE & SELDEN 2009 (from France) is transfered from the family Mecysmaucheniidae to the Archaeidae: Archaeinae (n. relat.). The genus Filiauchenius WUNDERLICH 2008 - including its type species paucidentatus - may be a member of Lacunauchenius WUNDERLICH 2008 (quest. n. syn. and n. comb.). The genus Hypertheridiosoma WUNDERLICH 2012 is transferred from the Theridiosomatidae to the Praeterleptonetidae (n. relat.) which may be polyphyletic. - Certain family diagnoses (e. g. of the Oecobiidae, Spatiatoridae, Theridiosomatidae and Uloboridae) have strongly to be modified if the extinct (Mesozoic) taxa are included. - A new spider classification is proposed (p. 46): The extinct taxon (order) Uraraneida SELDEN et al. 1991 is regarded as a suborder of the order Araneae (n. stat.), based mainly on the existence of an opisthosomal spinning apparatus, and as sister taxon of the suborder called Araneida. Araneomorpha SMITH 1902 is regarded as sister taxon to the Mygalomorpha. As Microorders of the suborder Araneomorpha are regarded the „Basal Haplogynae” n. taxon and the Cleistospermiata n. taxon. With some hesitation I regard the branch Hypochilomorpha MARX 1888 in a wide sense, including the nominal superfamilies Austrochiloidea and Hypochiloidea. As related branches are regarded the Entelegynae ROEWER 1961 which is restored, see fig. G, and first the Dipneumonomorphae PETRUNKEVITCH 1933 (= Apneumonomorphae PETRUNKEVITCH 1933 and Araneoclada PLATNICK 1977) (n. syn.). - Described for the first time are furthermore (all in Mid Cretaceous Burmite): A single family: Fossilcalcaridae (Mygalomorpha), 4 subfamilies: Longissipalpinae and Pedipalparaneinae of the Mongolarachnidae, Vetiatorinae of the Spatiatoridae and Retrooecobiinae of the Oecobiidae; 35 genera and 66 species of 17 families: Dipluridae, Eopsilodercidae, Fossilcalcaridae, Hersiliidae, Lagonomegopidae, Mongolarachnidae, Oecobiidae, Pholcochyroceridae, Plumorsolidae, Praeterleptonetidae, Psilodercidae, Salticoididae, Segestriidae, Spatiatoridae, Tetrablemmidae, Theridiidae and Uloboridae. A Cretaceous member - probably Leptonetoidea or Oecobioidea or Pholcoidea - indet. in stone from Liaoning (China) is described but not named. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2015

26. Unusual morphology in the mid-Cretaceous lizard Oculudentavis.

Author

Bolet, Arnau, Stanley, Edward L., Daza, Juan D., Arias, J. Salvador, Čerňanský, Andrej, Vidal-García, Marta, Bauer, Aaron M., Bevitt, Joseph J., Peretti, Adolf, and Evans, Susan E.

Subjects
*LIZARDS, *COMPARATIVE anatomy, *SKULL base, *MORPHOLOGY, *CONVERGENT evolution
Abstract

Oculudentavis khaungraae was described based on a tiny skull trapped in amber. The slender tapering rostrum with retracted narial openings, large eyes, and short vaulted braincase led to its identification as the smallest avian dinosaur on record, comparable to the smallest living hummingbirds. Despite its bird-like appearance, Oculudentavis showed several features inconsistent with its original phylogenetic placement. Here, we describe a more complete specimen that demonstrates Oculudentavis is actually a bizarre lizard of uncertain position. The new specimen is described as a new species within the genus Oculudentavis. The new interpretation and phylogenetic placement highlight a rare case of convergent evolution in skull proportions but apparently not in morphological characters. Our results re-affirm the importance of Myanmar amber in yielding unusual taxa from a forest ecosystem rarely represented in the fossil record. • A new species of the reptile in amber, Oculudentavis , is described • Oculudentavis is a bizarre lizard, not a bird • The bird-like appearance of Oculudentavis is due to convergence in skull proportions Bolet et al. describe a second, more complete, specimen of the mid-Cretaceous genus Oculudentavis (new species) from the amber deposits of Myanmar. Comparative morphology and phylogenetic analyses prove that, despite its bird-like appearance, Oculudentavis is a bizarre lizard of uncertain affinities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2021
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