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14 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. 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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6. An alternative perspective for acquisitions of amber from Myanmar including recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Author

Peretti, Adolf

Subjects
HUMAN rights, SCIENTIFIC community, PALEONTOLOGY, MARKET segmentation
Abstract

Recent publications have been actively recommending strong embargos on Burmese amber trade and research. Although the motivation of these actions seeks to prevent armed groups from obtaining capital via amber trade, which in the views of the authors helps further fueling the armed conflict, here, I demonstrate that this claim is not accurate. In this analysis, I prove that these preventative actions undertaken by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology and echoed by others do not resolve the situation in Burma, but on the contrary, aggravate the problem by negatively affecting the Burmese miners. My analysis is congruent with other independent analyses of the Burmese Amber trade. In line with the recommendation of the United Nations, and as an alternative approach, it is possible to support the amber economy that is in opposition to the Burmese military and help the Burmese scientific community to increase their capability and knowledge to engage in a niche market that is largely not accessible to unethical players. This would lead to a sourcing of research material that fulfills the demand of the international scientific community for ethical standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2021
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7. 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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9. 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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10. 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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11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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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