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Abstract
This chapter describes about Sibelliberotha rihanensis gen. et sp. n., a new berothid Neuroptera, from Rihan (South Lebanon), a new Lower Cretaceous amber outcrop. This new fossil taxon possesses several plesiomorphic features that place it very basally within the available phylogeny of modern Berothidae, but close to the modern clade: Nyrminae and Cyrenoberothinae. The chapter discusses the systematic palaeontology, phylogenetic position and phylogenetic relationships of the new berothid Neuroptera. The authors compare Sibelliberotha to the other fossil berothid genera and analyses the states of the characters for Sibelliberotha. If Sibelliberotha rihanensis gen. et sp. n. is in a basal position in the Berothidae nec Rhachiberotinae, it seems nevertheless to be related to recent genera, supporting a great antiquity of these insects. Its inclusion in the existing cladistic analysis based on recent taxa improved its resolution. Keywords:Berothidae; Lebanon; Neuroptera; Sibelliberotha rihanensis; systematic palaeontology
... Sejunctaberotha gen. nov. is most related to three extinct genera, i.e., Sibelliberotha Azar & Nel, 2013, Aggregataberotha and Haploberotha Engel & Grimaldi, 2008, but is obviously different from those by the following combined characteristics: (1) subcostal veinlets all simple (Aggregataberotha with more than two forked subcostal veinlets near the terminal of Sc); (2) vein of Sc and RA obviously free at apex both in forewings and hindwings (other fossil genera fused distantly both in fore-and hindwings or only free at hindwings); (3) one ra-rp crossvein connected RA and RP3 (one ra-rp crossvein lies between the separation of RP1 and RP3 in Aggregataberotha and Sibelliberotha); (4) each branch of RP with two or three short and simple branches near wing margin (Aggregataberotha and Haploberotha RP with fork before margin branched, Sibelliberotha RP only with two short branches near wing margin); (5) in forewings, MP with light fork before margin branched (Aggregataberotha MP with deep fork before margin branched, Sibelliberotha MP with pectinate branches near wing margin); (6) one rp-m present before the origin of MP (one rp-m present after the orgin of MP and connect RP with MP in Sibelliberotha and Haploberotha); (6) in forewings, CuP simple (Sibelliberotha and Aggregataberotha with two to three short branches near wing margin, Haploberotha with two forked branches) [10,[28][29][30]. ...
In recent years, as more and more fossil species of berothids from Myanmar have been reported, the species and morphological diversity of Berothidae continues to increase. Herein, one new species of Berothidae, Aggregataberotha paucipunctata sp. nov., and one new genus, Sejunctaberotha gen. nov., with three new species (Sejunctaberotha sphaerica gen. et sp. nov., Sejunctaberotha tenuis gen. et sp. nov. and Sejunctaberotha transversa gen. et sp. nov.) are described from mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber. A. paucipunctata sp. nov. is assigned to Aggregataberotha Wang, Huang & Wang, 2022, based on the characteristics of the similar female terminalia and wing venation, but can be different from A. punctate regarding the pale pterostigma and a few detailed features of wing venation. Additionally, representatives of Sejunctaberotha gen. nov. are remarkably different from the representatives of the other genera within Berothidae in the configuration of wing venation. For example, Sejunctaberotha gen. nov. has simple subcostal veinlets, obviously free Sc and RA at the apex present both in fore- and hindwings, a single ra-rp crossvein connecting the RA with RP3, a single rp-m crossvein locating before the origin of the MP, a simple CuP and no gradate veins. Interestingly, in one of the specimens of Sejunctaberotha gen. nov., a pair of spherical bulges was found at the end of the antennae. The new genus Sejunctaberotha gen. nov. suggests that Berothidae had a higher potential diversification during the Mesozoic Era.
... They occur mainly in warm-temperate to tropical regions (Aspöck & Randolf 2014: Fig. 55). Fossil berothids are numerous (55 named species in 35 genera, including Mesithone Panfilov, 1980according to Jepson 2015, known from the Middle Jurassic to the late Eocene (see list of Makarkin et al. 2011 with additions by Jepson et al. 2012;Azar & Nel 2013;Khramov 2015;Makarkin 2015;Makarkin & Ohl 2015, Yuan et al. 2016 and exclusions from the family in Wedmann et al. 2013;Makarkin 2016). ...
Xenoberotha angustialata gen. et sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Berothidae) is described from the early Eocene of the Parachute Creek Member of the Green River Formation (U.S.A., Colorado). It is assigned to Berothinae as an oldest known member of the subfamily based on the presence of scale-like setae on the foreleg coxae. Distal crossveins of the fourth (outer) gradate series which are located very close to the wing margin in Xenoberotha gen. nov. is a character state previously unknown in Berothinae.
... The family Berothidae is relatively small comprising approximately 130 extant species (including Rhachiberothinae) (Oswald 2013). The fossil record is rich: fifty five fossil species in 35 genera (including Mesithoninae in sensu Makarkin et al. 2012) from the Middle Jurassic to late Eocene have been referred to Berothidae (Makarkin et al. 2011, 2012; Azar & Nel 2013; Khramov 2015; Makarkin 2015; Makarkin & Ohl 2015). This family dominates the neuropteran assemblage in the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, both in number of specimen and species, with 13 described species (Engel 2004; Engel & Grimaldi 2008; Makarkin 2015). ...
Creagroparaberotha groehni gen. et sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Berothidae: Paraberothinae) is described from the earliest Cenomanian Burmese amber. The revised diagnosis of Paraberothinae is provided. The specialized probasitarsi in Parab-erothinae, Rhachiberothinae (Berothidae) and Symphrasinae (Mantispidae) are considered as a homoiology (parallelism), i.e., convergent modifications of a homologous structure. The genus Berothone Khramov, 2015 is considered to belong to the subfamily Mesithoninae (Berothidae).
... The Berothidae is a small family (approximately 130 extant species, including Rhachiberothinae) that occurs in most warm-temperate to tropical regions of the world, and very rarely in temperate regions (Oswald 2013). Fossil berothids are numerous (45 named species in 31 genera, excluding Mesithone Panfilov, 1980), known from the Middle Jurassic to late Eocene (Makarkin et al. 2011, 2012; Azar & Nel 2013; Khramov 2015; Makarkin 2015; Shi et al. 2015). ...
Elektroberotha groehni gen. et sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Berothidae) is described from Baltic amber. The genus is assigned to Berothinae based on female terminalia that have the following characteristics: long hypocaudae on gonocoxite 9; sternite 7 that is medially divided into a pair of lateral sclerites; and gonocoxite 8 with a medial process that is very similar to that of some extant berothine genera. The new genus is the first described fossil genus of the subfamily Berothinae. It is noteworthy for the possession of a fully-developed CuP in the hind wing, a vein that is strongly reduced in all other species of the subfamily. The genus Spiroberotha is considered to belong to the Berothinae.
Ferganoberotha minutissima gen. et sp. nov. (Berothidae) is described from the Middle-Late Triassic Madygen Formation (Kyrgyzstan) based on an isolated forewing. This is the first species of Triassic Berothidae to be reported from Eurasia. Mesoberotha superbа (Riek, 1955), the type genus of Mesoberothidae from the Late Triassic of Australia, is redescribed and transferred to Berothidae, thereby making the former family a junior synonym of the latter.
A new genus with a new species, Aggregataberotha punctata J. Wang, Huang et Y. Wang gen. et sp. nov., and a new species Xiaoberotha dilatapoda J. Wang, Huang et Y. Wang sp. nov. in Berothidae, are described from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. Aggregataberotha has distinctive features of venation and female terminalia, which are mostly close to those of the extant subfamily Cyrenoberothinae. Xiaoberotha dilatapoda exhibits distinctly swollen meso- and metatibiae, which are reported in Berothidae for the first time. These two new beaded lacewings suggest morphological plasticity and phylogenetic diversity of Berothidae during the mid-Cretaceous, and provide a new insight to the early evolution of Berothidae.
Abstract
Doratomantispinae is an extinct mantispid subfamily reported only from mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber, which includes two
genera, Doratomantispa Poinar in Poinar & Buckley, 2011 and Paradoxomantispa Lu et al., 2020, and six species. Here, we
present an overview of the genera and species of the subfamily, with descriptions of seven new species, namely D. arcimaculata
sp. nov., D. gaoyuhei sp. nov., D. zhangwenjuni sp. nov., D. zhangzhiqiae sp. nov., D. zhuozhengmingi sp. nov., D. yumeiyingae
sp. nov., and P. mahaiyingae sp. nov.. We also synonymize Lonchomantispa Shi, Yang & Ren in Shi et al., 2020 with Dorato�mantispa, proposing the new combination: D. longa (Shi, Yang & Ren in Shi et al., 2020) comb. nov.. The adult morphology of
Doratomantispinae is studied in detail and comprehensively compared with many other mantispoids. We found some putative
apomorphies supporting the monophyly of Doratomantispinae and its close relationship with the derived mantispid clade. This
subfamily represents a lineage with the richest species diversity among mantispids known from Myanmar amber
A new genus of Berothidae (Neuroptera), Speleoberotha gen. nov., with two new species from Brazil, Speleoberotha mineira sp. nov. and Speleoberotha palomae sp. nov., are herein presented. These are the first cave-associated species of Berothidae ever recorded. The new genus shares some characters with the two extant genera of the subfamily Cyrenoberothinae, Cyrenoberotha and Manselliberotha, and other characters are shared with three fossil genera, Microberotha, Protoberotha and Sibelliberotha. This intermediate nature of the new genus was reinforced by the phylogenetic analyses presented here, which recovered Speleoberotha gen. nov. as sister to Sibelliberotha but closely associated with the extant Cyrenoberothinae. In this sense, a new concept of the subfamily Cyrenoberothinae is presented here, now including Speleoberotha gen. nov. and the three fossil genera together with Cyrenoberotha and Manselliberotha. We discuss the biogeographical history of the new concept of Cyrenoberothinae, suggesting that the clade originated in Gondwana. We also provide an identification key for the genera of Cyrenoberothinae.
Adult Mantispidae are general predators of arthropods equipped with raptorial forelegs. The three larval instars display varying degrees of hypermetamorphic ontogeny. The larval stages exhibit a remarkable life history ranging from specialised predators of nest-building hymenopteran larvae and pupa, to specialised predators of spider-eggs, to possible generalist predators of immature insects. Noteworthy advances in our understanding of the biology of Mantispidae has come to light over the past two decades which are compiled and addressed in this review. All interactions of mantispids with other arthropods are tabled and their biology critically discussed and compared to the current classification of the taxon. Additionally, the ambigous systematics within Mantispidae and between Mantispidae and its sister groups, Rhachiberothidae and Berotidae, is reviewed. Considering the biology, systematics, distribution of higher taxonomic levels and the fossil record, the historical biogeography of the group is critically discussed with Gondwana as the epicenter of Mantispidae radiation.
During the last “International Congress on Fossil Insects, Arthropods and Amber” held this year in the Dominican Republic, we unanimously agreed—in the International Palaeoentomological Society (IPS)—to honor our great colleagues who have given us and the science (and still) significant knowledge on the evolution of fossil insects and terrestrial arthropods over the years. Sure there have been some efforts before in this purpose, undertaken mainly by our esteemed Russian colleagues, and where several of our members in the IPS contributed in edited volumes honoring some of our great scientists.
A new genus and species of Berothidae is described from the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Myanmar amber. Ansoberothajiewenaegen. et sp. nov. can be easily distinguished from other berothid genera by the long antenna, the scape with ca. 100 flagellomeres, the forewing with four ra-rp, MPand CuA are pectinately branched, and the hind wing with one oblique cua-cup between CuA stem and the distal branch of CuP.
Jumping bristletails (order Archaeognatha), the basalmost order of extant insects, include some of the earliest fossil records among hexapods, yet their overall geological occurrence remains sparse and has provided little insight into their evolution. The earliest representatives of crown‐group bristletails are those in Lebanese amber (Cretaceous), hitherto known only from a single species. Here we significantly expand the known fossil record of Archaeognatha, and from the prolific Lower Cretaceous (Barremian) deposits of Lebanon. One new genus and species, Glaesimeinertellus intermedius gen. et sp. nov., and one new species, Macropsontus bachae sp. nov., are described and figured from Hammana amber, whereas one additional Macropsontus species, M. azari sp. nov., and one meinertellid morphotype are described and figured from Al‐Rihan amber. The new taxa are compared with their modern and fossil relatives. Collectively, the new taxa render the Archaeognatha fauna from Lebanese amber the earliest with sufficient preservation to provide character data comparable to modern forms, highlighting the considerable morphological conservatism within the order.
A new genus and species of Berothidae, Protoberotha minuta gen. et sp. nov., is described from mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber. Based on the comparisons of venational characters and female genital sclerites of the new genus with those of the extant berothids, it is concluded that the new genus had a close relationship with Cyrenoberothinae, representing a basal lineage of Berothidae. The structures of the female terminalia across the extant berothids are summarized and discussed.
Two new genera with two new species in Berothidae, Maculaberotha nervosa gen. et sp. nov. and Magniberotha recurrens gen. et sp. nov., are described from Upper Cretaceous Myanmar (Burmese) amber. Based on the new specimens of the same species, we propose some venational characters as intraspecific variations, e.g., the markings on the wings and crossveins in the radial sector. We also study and compare the female genital sclerites from three genera of Haploberotha, Dasyberotha, and Jersiberotha to highlight the importance of using these characters preserved in amber for taxonomic and phylogenetic studies. Furthermore, an updated key to the berothid genera of Myanmar amber is provided.
Diverse new material of mantises found in the Cretaceous amber-bearing deposits from Lebanon (Barremian), Spain (Albian), and Myanmar (AlbianeCenomanian) are described and figured. The Lebanese
and Spanish forms are nymphs; while the one from Myanmar is an adult specimen. The Lebanese nymph
corresponds to a new specimen of Burmantis lebanensis Grimaldi, 2003 while the adult Burmese (Myanmar) specimen belongs to the new species Burmantis zherikhini. The Spanish specimen represents a new genus and species and is established as Aragonimantis aenigma, but is considered family incertae sedis. The Spanish specimen is the first record of Mesozoic mantises from western-European amber deposits. A revised phylogenetic hypothesis for Cretaceous mantises is proposed.
Two new genera and four new species of Berothidae (Berothone gen. nov., Krokhathone parva gen. et sp. nov., K. tristis gen. et sp. nov., Sinosmylites karatavicus sp. nov., and S. auliensis sp. nov) are described from the Upper Jurassic of Karatau (Kazakhstan). Sinosmylites hotgoricus sp. nov. is described from the Upper Jurassic of Khoutiyn-Khotgor (Mongolia). Intraspecific variation of Jurassic berothids, quantitative composition of the berothid fauna of Karatau, and records of the family from Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous deposits are discussed.
Several species of Berothidae are known to be specialist predators of termites during their larval stages. A female of the Japanese berothid Isoscelipteron okamotonis (Nakahara, 1914) was captured in the field and laid eggs in captivity. Of 67 eggs, 20 hatched into larvae, 3 of 9 which pupated and 1 of which reached the adult stage. The first and third instars preyed on workers of the termite Reticulitermes speratus, although the second instars did not. Larvae did not show the specific predatory behaviors observed in Northern American relatives. Instead, they bound paralyzed termites with silk that was apparently used for hunting. This is the first record of an Old World berothid raised from egg to adult in the laboratory.
The nearly ubiquitous mite suborder Oribatida, which comprises mostly mycophages and saprophages in organic soil horizons, has a long geological history. Early derivative taxa are known from middle and late Devonian deposits (Norton et al., 1988; Subías and Arillo, 2002) and members of the highly derived cohort Brachypylina have existed since the Jurassic (Krivolutsky and Krasilov, 1977, Selden et al., 2008). The group is commonly represented as inclusion-fossils in amber, with about 100 species known worldwide. Except for four Cretaceous fossils from Siberia (Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1974; Krivolutsky and Ryabinin, 1976) and Spain (Arillo and Subías, 2000, 2002), the named amber species are of Tertiary age. The majority of these have been discovered in the Priabonian (middle Eocene) Baltic amber deposits of northern Europe (Labandeira et al., 1997; Norton, 2006).
A new genus and species of primitive crane flies, Dacochile microsoma Poinar and Brown (Tanyderidae) is described from Cretaceous Burmese amber. It differs from extant and extinct members of the family by the following combination of characters: small size (wing length, 2.8 mm), reduced anal lobe, hyaline wing membrane, crossvein cua-a 1 forming cell cua, very short vein R 2+3, very long terminal maxillary palps, and mandibles. The well-developed mandibles indicate that the species obtained food by piercing and sucking. A list of fossil tanyderids is presented.
An examination of character states in a second Burmese amber specimen of Dacochile microsoma Poinar & Brown from the type locality confirms the original placement of this species in the family Tanyderidae and not the Bruchomyiinae, as proposed by Woodley (2005). Of special interest are a row of heavily sclerotized processes shaped like rose thorns and positioned on the inside of the hind tibiae and first two tarsal segments. These processes, which point upward towards the body, suggest that at least the females of Dacochile supported themselves from vegetation by their hind legs, similar to the behavior of some present-day tanyderids.
The holotype of Metaxybittacus (?) decipiens BODE, 1953 from the Lower Toarcian of Hondelage (Lower Saxony) is revised and transferred from Mecoptera: Neorthophlebiidae to the genus Praemacrochile KALUGINA, 1985 (Diptera: Tanyderidae). Additonal wing material of Praemacrochile decipiens ( BODE 1953) is described from Schandelah (Lower Saxony) and Dobbertin (Mecklenburg). Praemacrochile dobbertinensis spec. nov. from the Lower Toarcian of Dobbertin (Mecklenburg) and Nannotanyderus grimmenensis spec. nov. from the Lower Toarcian of Grimmen (Western Pomerania) are described.
Recent fossil discoveries show that Burmese amber is one of the most significant amber sites from the Early Cretaceous. We have used both nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and anatomical analyses to determine the plant source of amber taken from the Noije Bum 2001 Summit Site in the Hukawng Valley, Myanmar. All spectra were identified as belonging to Group A, which on the basis of a previous analysis of New Zealand amber and copal, is related to members of the Araucariaceae, especially Agathis. Bi- to multiseriate, angular, alternate, contiguous 5-6-sided intertracheal pitting on the fossil wood is typical of araucarioid pitting and only occurs in wood of extinct or extant members of the Araucariaceae. The amber from this mine site is considered to be derived from araucarioid (especialy Agathis) trees in the Araucariaceae.
Aulieezidium karatauense, a new genus and species of the extinct planthopper family Fulgoridiidae is described from the Upper Jurassic deposits of Karabastau Formation of Aulie, Karatau (Southern Kazakhstan Province, Kazakhstan). The characters of the new genus in respect to other genera placed in Fulgoridiidae are reviewed. The palaeoecological and palaeogeographical data concerning Aulieezidium gen. n. and other genera of Fulgoridiidae are also discussed.
The extraction of fossil plants and insects from Lebanese amber is possible by dissolving the amber in chloroform. The fossils can be prepared like Recent material and mounted in Canada Balsam. This method enables better observation of the morphological details of the fossils.
The genus Aleurodicus is discussed in the context of the whole subfamily Aleurodicinae, and is fully revised with 35 species now included, 10 of them newly described here. The genus Lecanoideus Quaintance & Baker is here regarded as a junior synonym of Aleurodicus syn. nov., and Aleurodicus fucatus Bondar is proposed as a junior synonym of A. capiangae Bondar syn. nov. Palaealeurodicus gen. nov. is described to accommodate six native Asian species hitherto included in Aleurodicus, along with one new species here described. Aleuroctarthrus gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate Aleurodicus destructor Mackie. Two species are here transferred from Aleurodicus to other genera. Puparial keys are provided to the worldwide genera of Aleurodicinae, and to the described species of Aleurodicus and Palaealeurodicus. Lectotypes are here designated for 11 species of Aleurodicinae, and a neotype for one species. A check list is provided to all the species treated in this paper. The paper is illustrated with 144 figures including 7 plates of habitus photographs.
40 morphological characters of adults of Myxophaga and 54 characters of larvae were analyzed phylogenetically. The analysis of adult characters supports the monophyly of Myxophaga and the following branching pattern within the ingroup: (Lepiceridae + ((Delevea + (Satonius + ((Torridincola + Incoltorrida) + (Ytu + (Claudiella + Iapir))))) + (Microsporus + (Hydroscapha + (Scaphydra + Yara)))). Undivided maxillary mala and widely separated mesocoxae are unambiguously placed autapomorphies of Myxophaga. A peg-like apical maxillary palpomere, a fringe of microtrichiae along the posterior hind wing margin, and a curved and shortened subcosta are autapomorphies of Myxophaga excl. Lepiceridae. A monophylum comprising Microsporidae and Hydroscaphidae is indicated by 3-segmented tarsi, posteriorly concave metacoxal plates, and widely separated metafurcal bases. The second analysis which includes the larval characters is largely consistent with the analysis of adult features. The branching pattern does not indicate whether riparian or hygropetric habitats are ancestral for Myxophaga. However, a preference for moist substrates at river edges appears more plausible as a similar life style is not uncommon in other groups of Coleoptera.
Pollen Classopollis belonging to the extinct coniferalean family Cherolepidiaceae are widely spread in the Jurassic and Cretaceous. The material from the USSR provides the most detailed data on the quantitative distribution of the pollen. A low content (1-10%) of Classopollis suggests temperate climatic conditions, whereas a percentage (20-50%) reveals warm subtropical one. The highest content attaining 60-75 % or even 90 % (in Oxfordian of the USSR southern regions) testifies to an arid climate. Thus the distribution of the pollen plotted against that of lithological indicators of the climate allows to reveal climatic belts for the different epochs of the Jurassic and Cretaceous and to establish climatic fluctuation during this time.
Two new species of dipteran insects, Architipula chinensis sp. nov. and Praemacrochile vulcanium sp. nov., are described from the Upper Jurassic of China. This is the first record of Architipulinae (Limoniidae) and the second record of Tanyderidae in China; these findings enhance our knowledge about these groups in the Jurassic of China.