New antlion species (Insecta,Neuroptera, Palaeoleontidae) from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation in northeastern Brazil

Two new palaeoleontid species, Baisopardus escuilliei sp. nov. and Baisopardus pumilio sp. nov., are described, based on compression fossils from the Crato Formation in northeastern Brazil. The external morphology, particularly the wing venations, are analysed and compared with all genera of Palaeoleontidae. The previously proposed synonymy of Baisopardus with Neurastenyx is discussed. Neurastenyx, proven to be a poorly known genus based on an incomplete type fossil, is limited to its sole type species as a Myrmeleontoidea incertae sedis nov. sit. Consequently the genus Baisopardus is restored and all the other species previously included in Neurastenyx are transferred into Baisopardus.     

A new Osmylidae (Insecta,Neuroptera) from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation in Brazil

Cratosmylus magnificus gen. et sp. nov., type genus and species of the new osmylid subfamily Cratosmylinae, is described from the Lower Cretaceous of the Crato Formation, Brazil. The relationships of this taxon remain uncertain within the Osmylidae, mainly due to the lack of phylogeny of the whole family. Nevertheless, it shares with the Mesozoic subfamily Saucrosmylinae the Rs curved and bent anteriorly distally, even in a more pronounced state, i.e. Rs touching R1 in its distal part.     

New beaded lacewings (Neuroptera: Berothidae) from Upper Cretaceous Myanmar amber

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.     

A new extraordinary neuropterid family from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of Brazil: a new insect order? (Insecta, Neuropterida)

A new, highly specialized family, Rafaelidae, is proposed for two new lacewing-like species from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation in the Araripe Basin, Brazil. They have body and wing venation characters that are unique within the neuropterid insects, i.e., head, ovipositor, organization of the radial and median veins and structure of the subcostal vein. This new family cannot be attributed to any known insect order with certainty. These discoveries support the hypothesis of a considerable morphological disparity between neuropterid insects during the Early Cretaceous, as for the Odonatoptera.     

The first trichomyiine from Burmese Cretaceous amber (Diptera,Psychodidae, Trichomyiinae)

A new genus and species of Trichomyiinae (Axenotrichomyia boisteli) is described herein from Burmese Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) amber. This new taxon is characterized, illustrated, and its taxonomic position is discussed. This discovery sheds new light for the understanding of the palaeobiodiversity of this group.     

The first record of Cretaceous ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Oodini) from Burmese amber

The first fossil Carabidae from Burmese amber is described as new to science, Oodes kachinensis Liu n. sp., based on a single individual preserved in Cretaceous amber from Myanmar. This species is placed in the extant tribe Oodini as supported by several characters: one supraorbital seta at each side of vertex, interval 9 very narrow, stria 8 very deep, epipleuron plica presented, antennomeres 1–3 glabrous and 4–11 densely pubescent. This new species has surprising long legs, indicating most probably it was living on the bank of puddle.     

New Cretaceous Elcanidae from China and Myanmar (Insecta,Orthoptera)

A new species of Elcanidae (Orthoptera: Elcanoidea), Panorpidium yixianensis sp. nov., is described based on two new specimens from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of northeastern China. It differs from other species in forewing characters and spines on the hind tibiae. In addition, a new specimen Burmelcana sp., is described and figured based on an amber inclusion from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese (Myanmar) amber. P. yixianensis sp. nov. represents the first definite record of Elcanidae in the Early Cretaceous Jehol biota, and Panorpidium is the only genus of Ensifera to be found in the Early Cretaceous faunas of England, Russia and China.     

New Cretaceous caddisflies from Burmese amber (Insecta,Trichoptera)

Three new caddisflies species are described and illustrated from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber: Wormaldia cretacea sp. nov., W. resina sp. nov. (Philopotamidae) and Neureclipsis burmanica sp. nov. (Polycentropodidae). Palerasnitsynus ohlhoffi (Psychomyiidae) is re-described based on new fossils. Wormaldia are common in Burmese amber, and its diversity shows that this genus had very ancient origin and diversified at least during the mid-Cretaceous. N. burmanica sp. nov. is the oldest record of Neureclipsis, revealing this genus originated at least in the mid-Cretaceous. So far, six extinct species representing the small Order Trichoptera have been found in Burmese amber.     

The first fossil Compsocidae from Cretaceous Burmese amber (Insecta, Psocoptera, Troctomorpha)

The first fossil record of the Compsocidae, Burmacompsocus perreaui gen. et sp. nov., is described from Late Albian Burmese amber. Its strong similarity to the two extant compsocid genera suggests a remarkable morphological stability within this group of 100 Ma. This family, now known only in Central America, was certainly more widespread in the past.     

New lacewings (Insecta: Neuroptera) from the Lower Cretaceous Wealden supergroup of Southern England

Eight new genera and thirteen new species of lacewings (Neuroptera) are described from the Lower Cretaceous Wealden Supergroup, Weald Sub-basin: Principiala rudgwickensis sp. nov. (Ithonidae), Stenomylina medialis gen. et sp. nov., Protosmylina bifasciata gen. et sp. nov. (Osmylidae), Cretapsychops corami gen. et sp. nov., Micropsychops parallelus gen. et sp. nov., Valdipsychops logunovi gen. et sp. nov., V. brigidae gen. et sp. nov., V. maculosus gen. et sp. nov., V. proudlovei gen. et sp. nov., V. minimus gen. et sp. nov., Psychopsites rolandi gen. et sp. nov. (Psychopsidae), Actinophlebioides valdensis gen. et sp. nov. and Protohemerobius perexiguus gen. et sp. nov. (Neuroptera familia incertae sedis). Psychopsidae are shown to dominate the neuropteran fauna, while the presence of Brongniartiellidae has not been confirmed in the Wealden, due to previously thought representatives of this family being in fact psychopsids. This is the first fossil record of Ithonidae and Osmylidae in Britain. The range of Kalligrammatidae has been extended in the Cretaceous of Britain from the mid-Valanginian to early Barremian.     

High fidelity preservation of fossil insects from the Crato Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of Brazil

Fossil insects from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) Crato Formation of north-east Brazil are preserved as goethite replacements in laminated limestones of lacustro-lagoonal origin. They display remarkable degrees of morphological detail down to the macromolecular level in some examples. We document the fidelity of preservation and reveal an astonishing variety of morphological detail comparable in some instances with that found in amber inclusions.     

New Aetheogrammatidae (Insecta: Neuroptera) from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation,China

Two new genera and three new species of the Mesozoic family Aeotheogrammatidae are described from the Lower Cretaceous of Yixian Formation (Liaoning Province, China): Cyclicogramma rotundum gen. et sp. nov. and Aetheogramma bistriatum sp. nov. from Huangbanjigou, and Curtogramma ovatum gen. et sp. nov. from Dawangzhangzi. The hind wing of Cyclicogramma rotundum gen. et sp. nov. differs from that of other species by its smaller size, its overall shape, RP bearing only two oblique radial branches, and its configurations of CuP, AA1, and AA2. Aetheogramma bistriatum sp. nov. is closely related to A. speciosum Ren and Engel, 2008, but distinguished from the latter by its distinctive configuration of RP1, and the narrower and longer AA2 space in the hind wing. Curtogramma ovatum gen. et sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of the family by the forewing with M forking very far from the wing base.     

New mantises (Insecta: Mantodea) in Cretaceous ambers from Lebanon,Spain, and Myanmar

Diverse new material of mantises found in the Cretaceous amber-bearing deposits from Lebanon (Barremian), Spain (Albian), and Myanmar (Albian–Cenomanian) 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.     

A new genus of alderflies (Megaloptera: Sialidae) in Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber

A new genus and species of Mesozoic alderfly is described as Haplosialodes liui gen. et sp. nov., and from an adult male preserved in Cretaceous Burmese amber. The new genus is closely related to the genera Haplosialis Navás (Recent fauna of Madagascar), Indosialis Lestage (Recent fauna of Southeast Asia), and Eosialis Nel et al. (Eocene of France), suggesting a possible Early Cretaceous age for the clade that comprises these groups.     

2Passalopalpidae,a new family from the Cretaceous Burmese amber,as the possible sister group of Passalidae Leach (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea)

A new family of Scarabaeoidea is revealed from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar (earliest Cenomanian, near 100 Ma), on a series of males and females, most in perfect condition. Passalopalpidae fam. nov., Passalopalpus cheni gen. et sp. nov., are probably extinct since a long time. Observations were made on the whole body (head, thorax, abdomen) and appendages (mouthparts, antennae, legs, wings). Most characters are remarkable and plesiomorphic, compared to Passalidae Leach, as well as to some other Scarabaeoidea. Morphological characteristics demonstrate that the fossil species is typically « passaloid », but that it cannot belongs to Passalidae. Passalopalpidae and Passalidae are clearly distinct families, with strong assumption to be sister groups. The systematic interpretation of the fossil could fill a historic gap: the sister group of Passalidae had been established previously never in a solid way. Passalids are Gondwanian, whereas passalopalpids lived on former eastern Laurasia. Vicariance of both taxa, each on one of the super-continents, seems to support recent hypotheses of phylogeny and paleobiogeography for Passalidae. Other preliminary notes are given on the morphology, biology and phylogenetic relationships of passalopalpids.     

The first Mesozoic pleasing lacewing (Neuroptera: Dilaridae)

Cretanallachius magnificus gen. et sp. nov., first Mesozoic and earliest record of the Dilaridae (Neuroptera), is described from the Cretaceous Burmese amber. Its putative closest relative is the recent subfamily Nallachiinae known by the sole genus Nallachius.     

A possible azhdarchid pterosaur from the Crato Formation (Early Cretaceous,Aptian) of northeast Brazil

The partially articulated, distal portion of a left wing finger of a pterosaur from the Crato Formation of northeast Brazil has a T-shaped cross-section to the second and third phalanges. This cross-sectional shape is one of several characters diagnostic of the pterodactyloid pterosaur family Azhdarchidae (Unwin & Lu 1997). Until now, this family of pterosaurs was known exclusively from the Late Cretaceous. The specimen described here may be the first recorded azhdarchid from the southern hemisphere and the earliest recorded member of the family.     

A new Burmese amber hawker dragonfly helps to redefine the position of the aeshnopteran family Burmaeshnidae (Odonata: Anisoptera: Aeshnoidea)

The new genus and species Angustaeshna magnifica of Burmaeshnidae is described on the basis of a new fossil from Burmese amber. The genus Cretaeshna from the same amber is transferred from the Telephlebiidae into the Burmaeshnidae. We redefine this last family, no longer considered as the sister group of the Late Cretaceous Enigmaeshnidae, but as putative sister group of the Telephlebiidae in the Aeshnoidea. No known fossil belongs to the Telephlebiidae.     

Mesomegaloprepidae,a remarkable new damselfly family (Odonata: Zygoptera) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber

Mesomegaloprepus magnificus gen. et sp. nov. (Odonata: Zygoptera) is described from more than 14 specimens in eight pieces of mid-Cretaceous (earliest Cenomanian, ca. 99 Ma) amber from Myanmar. Possible phylogenetic affinities with the Neotropical Latibasaliidae, Thaumatoneuridae, and Pseudostigmatinae are discussed, and a relationship with Pseudostigmatinae considered as possible, but because of conflicting evidence separate family status as Mesomegaloprepidae fam. nov. is tentatively preferred. The remarkable degree of homoplastic conflict in the wing venational similarities indicates that these represent relatively weak evidence for phylogenetic relationships. The palaeoecology, including sexual dimorphism in wing colouration, of the new taxon is discussed, and the large number of inclusions explained with possible breeding behaviour in association with water-filled tree holes (phytotelmata) of the amber tree, similar to extant Pseudostigmatinae. The position of all alleged fossil Thaumatoneuridae are discussed and revised: Eothaumatoneura ptychoptera Pongracz, 1935 from the Eocene Geiseltal locality is restored in Thaumatoneuridae. Cretaceous Euarchistigma and Paleogene Eodysagrion are tentatively retained as subfamilies Euarchistigmatinae and Eodysagrioninae in Thaumatoneuridae. Paleogene Dysagrioninae and Petrolestinae are removed from Thaumatoneuridae and attributed to a restored family Dysagrionidae, and Paleocene Latibasaliidae is transferred from Amphipterygoidea to Epallagoidea.     

The first araripeneurine antlion in Burmese amber (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae)

Burmaneura minuta gen. et sp. nov., the first araripeneurine antlion in amber, is characterized, described and compared with the modern and Mesozoic Myrmeleontidae. The precise position of the fossil within this group is debatable. Interestingly, despite a rather rich fossil record, all Mesozoic Myrmeleontidae belong to subfamilies that are not recorded in the Cenozoic, although this might merely reflect the artificiality of the classification as the extinct groups may be paraphyletic with respect to their younger counterparts (e.g., Araripeneurinae may very well be nothing more than a stem group of no classificatory value).