Work

A New Species Amecephala micra sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Liadopsyllidae) from Mid-Cretaceous Myanmar Amber

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The new species Amecephala micra sp. nov. is described and illustrated on the basis of a well-preserved male psyllid (Liadopsyllidae) in a piece of Cretaceous Myanmar amber. This second species of the genus Amecephala Drohojowska, Szwedo, Müller et Burckhardt, 2020 exhibits a combination of features that have not been previously recognised among Liadopsyllidae. These features include details of the antennae, hind legs and their armature, and hind wings. The presence of a short apical spine on the apex of the metatibia suggests that it was likely capable of jumping, and the strengthening of the claval margin of the hind wing may be interpreted as part of the apparatus for vibrational communication. These issues are discussed in relation to modern Psylloidea and Liadopsyllidae. The finding offers an important contribution to knowledge of the disparity and taxonomic diversity of Liadopsyllidae and their evolutionary traits.

Source: Insects

DOI: 10.3390/insects16030302

Authors: Jowita Drohojowska, Marina Hakim, Diying Huang, Jacek Szwedo

Institutions: University of Silesia in Katowice, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology, State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, University of Gdańsk

Language: English

Topic: Fossil Insects in Amber

Subfield: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China