A pulicid flea in Miocene amber from the Dominican Republic (Insecta, Siphonaptera, Pulicidae). American Museum novitates ; no.3205
Year: 1997
Type: article
Abstract: A new species of flea, Pulex larimerius, is de- scribed on the basis of a complete female speci- men in Miocene amber from the Dominican Re- public.Although at least eight other, exceptionally rare fleas are known from Dominican amber, the ones that have been studied all belong to the Rhopalopsyllidae.The specimen described here is unique as the only known fossil in the Pulicidae; its genus is found throughout the Western Hemisphere and contains one species known to be a cosmopolitan pest.The six described, extant species of Pulex feed on a great variety of mamma- lian hosts, and even a species of bird.The pres- ence of five strands of hair in the amber with the flea virtually confirms the mammalian host of the fossil.
Source: American Museum Novitates
Authors: Robert E. Lewis, David A. Grimaldi
Language: English
Topic: Fossil Insects in Amber
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1950945822