Description of a new species of Offneria (Hippuritida,Caprinidae) from the lower Aptian of southeast Spain. Stratigraphic,evolutionary, palaeobiogeographic and palaeoenvironmental implications

A new species of Offneria (Caprinidae) Offneria prebetica nov. sp., is described from the Murcia region (Prebetic zone, SE Spain). Its type level is the upper Bedoulian. The key diagnostic character of the new species is the presence on the ventral side of the left valve of an inner row, or double row, of polygonal canals flanked by outer piriform canals with one or two orders of bifurcations. Offneria prebetica nov. sp. is the most advanced species of the genus. Cluster analysis shows the placement of the new species in the monophyletic group of European species, in agreement with its geographic location. Offneria appears to be the most prolific genus of the Caprinidae with species having contrasting ages and palaeobiogeographic distributions. Stratigraphic data from SE Spain indicate that the Offneria lineage was resilient to the environmental perturbations recorded during the late Bedoulian, Offneria prebetica nov. sp. may be used as a time marker for this interval, and its last occurrence was coeval with the “Mid-Aptian extinction event”.     

Aturoidea (Nautilida) from the Upper Cretaceous Sada limestone in Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan

The first specimen of Aturoidea to be recorded in East Asia has been found in the Upper Cretaceous Sada limestone in Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan. The specimen is one of the few representatives from the Upper Cretaceous, along with species known from Libya, Angola, and India. The specimen is very similar to A. mathewsonni from the Paleocene deposits in California. However, we describe the specimen as A. cf. mathewsonni, as it slightly differs from A. mathewsonni in the shape of the lateral lobe of the suture. The finding reveals that Aturoidea had already lived in waters around East Asia in the Late Cretaceous.     

A new species of Leptotarsus (Diptera: Tipulidae) from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of Brazil

Leptotarsus (sensu lato) lukashevichae sp. nov. is described and illustrated, based on a single but very well preserved female specimen from the Crato Formation of Brazil (Aptian, ca. 112 Ma). Along with other Leptotarsus species recently described from Lower Cretaceous beds of Brazil, Spain, Russia and China, this new species is among the oldest known records of the genus Leptotarsus and the family Tipulidae.     

Morphological restudy of the type species of Xibeiestheria (Spinicaudata) from the lower Aptian,northwestern China

The fossil clam shrimp genus Xibeiestheria Wang in Shen et al., 1982, a component of the well-known Early Cretaceous Yanjiestheria fauna, was originally described from the lower Aptian Jingchuan Formation of Yanchi County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of northwestern China. The morphological re-examination under an SEM of the holotype of the type species Xibeiestheria pora Wang in Shen et al., 1982 has revealed new taxonomic features not previously recognized. These include: (1) growth lines with serrated lower margins, having a row of small pores; (2) widely spaced radial lirae intercalated cross bars on growth bands in the dorsal part of the carapace; (3) fine reticulum occurring within coarse reticulation on growth bands in the middle part of the carapace; (4) puncta radially aligned along the widely spaced radial lirae on growth bands in the lower part of the carapace.     

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.     

New genus and species of Cerophytidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) from the Lower Cretaceous of Baissa (Siberia)

One new genus and two new species of fossil Cerophytidae, Baissophytum convexus gen. et. sp. nov. and Baissophytum amplus sp. nov. are described and illustrated from Zaza Formation (Lower Cretaceous), Eravnensky (Bauntovsky) District, Buriatskay Autonomous Republic (Transbaikalia), Russia.     

Two new glaphyrids (Coleoptera,Scarabaeoidea) from the Jehol Biota,China

Two new species, Cretohypna puncta sp. nov. and Cretohypna robusta sp. nov., of Glaphyridae are described and illustrated. These fossils were collected from the Jehol Biota, Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Liutiaogou Village in Ningcheng, Inner Mongolia, China. Up to date, 18 fossil species in 6 genera of Glaphyridae have been reported, among which ten species are from China. Respective keys to the Mesozoic genera of Glaphyridae and to species of Cretohypna Yan, Nikolajev & Ren, 2012 are provided. This is the first report of spiracles in fossil Glaphyridae leading to a hypothesis that the character of the 7th abdominal spiracles present in pleural membrane is a plesiomorphy for Glaphyridae.     

Biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from the Early Cretaceous El Soplao amber (N Spain)

Three new species, Lebanoculicoides excantabris, Archiaustroconops borkenti, and Atriculicoides szadziewskii are described from the Early Cretaceous (early Albian) El Soplao amber deposit (Rábago, Cantabria, northern Spain). Protoculicoides skalskii Szadziewski and Arillo, found in the other Albian Spanish ambers from Peñacerrada I (in Burgos) and San Just (in Teruel), and Austroconops sp., are identified from this new outcrop. The find of a new species of Lebanoculicoides Szadziewski is especially significant since this genus is considered the basalmost known among ceratopogonids. To date, the new species of Atriculicoides Remm is the oldest occurrence for this genus. A general review of the taxonomy and phylogeny of the family Ceratopogonidae, and the palaeoecological significance and palaeogeographic distribution of its basalmost lineages are given. The new data extend knowledge about biting midges during the Early Cretaceous, a key period for understanding the phylogenetic relationships of the ancient members of the family.     

A new hangingfly (Insecta,Mecoptera, Bittacidae) from the Purbeck Limestone Group (Lower Cretaceous) of southern England and a review of Cretaceous Bittacidae

Rapid radiation of the Bittacidae during the Jurassic resulted in high diversity within this family of Mecoptera. More than 40 species within 23 genera have been described from this period. However, around the end of the Jurassic the abundance and diversity of Bittacidae decreased and only seven species in five genera are known to date from the Cretaceous. A new specimen from the basal Cretaceous of England, Tytthobittacus jarzembowski sp. nov., described here, represents the eighth species and the second fossil representative of this family from the European Cretaceous. This hangingfly belongs to an extant and relictual genus previously known only from Australia. The paper also includes a review of all known Cretaceous bittacids and a re-examination of European species Antiquanabittacus nanus Petrulevičius and Jarzembowski, 2004.     

Myamalycocerus vitalii: A new genus and species of soldier beetle in Burmese amber (Coleoptera Cantharidae)

A new fossil soldier beetle Myamalycocerus vitalii gen. et sp. nov., is described and illustrated from an inclusion in Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber (Myanmar). It differs from all extant genera that have elytra adorned with small striae by possessing raised punctation, very probably an ancient character as it is absent among current species. It differs from the fossil Ornatomalthinus Poinar et Fanti, by the long elytra and relief points which are less raised and more numerous. This new genus appears vaguely related (not necessarily phylogenetically) to the current genus Lycocerus Gorham.     

Lidryopinae,new byrrhid subfamily from the Lower Cretaceous of France (Coleoptera,Byrrhidae)

The byrrhid subfamily Lidryopinae subfam. nov. is proposed for Lidryops occultus gen. et sp. nov. described from Lower Cretaceous “opaque” amber originated from Archingeay-Les Nouillers, Charente-Maritime, southwest France which was studied using propagation phase contrast X-ray synchrotron microtomography at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (Grenoble). This byrrhid subfamily differs from members of the closely related groups (Chelonariidae, Limnichidae, Dryopidae, Elmidae, Lutrochidae) in the set of characters including the moderately convex dorsum, the subpectinate antennae, the five-segmented tarsi with strongly lobed tarsomeres 1–4, subsecuriform ultimate maxillary and labial palpomeres. An assumption on probable lifestyle of Lidryops occultus gen. et sp. nov. is proposed on the basis of structural peculiarities. A short review of the byrrhid fossil record and its analysis are made.     

New genera and species of bark-gnawing beetles (Coleoptera: Trogossitidae) from the Yixian Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of Western Liaoning,China

Two new genera from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, northeastern China are described and illustrated. Paracretocateres gen. nov. (type species P. bellus, sp. nov.) and Yixianteres gen. nov. (type species Y. beipiaoensis sp. nov.) are assigned to the subfamily Lophocaterinae based on the state of the procoxae which are not projecting, the transverse procoxal cavities, and the exposed protochantins. The new taxa broaden the diversity of this family and provide further morphological characters for phylogenetic studies of Trogossitidae. They also provide evidence that lophocaterines well-diversified prior to the trogossitines and their biologies may have been similar to extant forms.     

New fossil evaniids (Hymenoptera,Evanioidea) from the Yixian Formation of western Liaoning,China

A new species, Procretevania mitis sp. nov., is described from the Early Cretaceous of Yixian Formation at the Huangbanjigou, Beipiao City, western Liaoning, China. Based on new morphological data, a key of Procretevania Zhang and Zhang, 2000 is provided. Forewing venations, body and forewing lengths, localities and horizons of various genera of Evaniidae in amber and compression fossils are summarized for comparison. Evaniidae have a high degree of venational diversity, while more complex forewing venations for Lebanevania and Mesevania suggest that they may represent the stem group of the Evaniidae. High diversity of Evaniidae in the Early Cretaceous implies that Evaniidae might have radiated before the Early Cretaceous. Furthermore, comparison of body and forewing lengths of amber and fossil genera indicate that the amber specimens have relatively smaller size.     

Early Cretaceous Aleyrodidae (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha) from the Lebanese amber

Four new, monotypic genera of Aleyrodidae from the Lower Cretaceous Lebanese amber are described: Shapashe aithiopa gen. sp. nov.; Milqartis azari gen. sp. nov.; Aretsaya therina gen. sp. nov.; and Yamis libanotos gen. sp. nov. All new taxa represent subfamily Aleurodicinae. The key for identification of genera of Aleurodicinae from the Lebanese amber is provided. The morphological features of newly established taxa are discussed. The importance of the fossils for phylogenetic, evolutionary and ecological studies is presented.     

A new gnetalean macrofossil from the Early Cretaceous and its evolutionary significance

Modern gnetophytes consist of three families, i.e. the Ephedraceae, the Gnetaceae, and the Welwitschiaceae, which show diversified morphology. The basal group Ephedraceae possesses an extremely reduced female cone with only the uppermost pair/whorl being fertile, while both the Gnetaceae and the Welwitschiaceae bear female cones/spikes with multiple whorls of fertile bracts. Here, we describe a new ephedroid macrofossil, Liaoningia decussata Yang et Lin, gen. et sp. nov., from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of western Liaoning in China. This species has typical ephedroid morphology, e.g. the dichasial branching shoot system, swollen nodes, internodes having many fine longitudinal striations, and decussate phyllotaxy, lengthy linear leaves possessing two parallel veins, and female cones consisting of paired bracts. This new genus is similar to the Ephedraceae in its vegetative organs, but differs from the latter by the female spikes with multiple pairs of fertile bracts. In this respect Liaoningia is similar to both the Gnetaceae and the Welwitschiaceae, but distinctly differs from the latter two genera in its vegetative organs. As a result, our new genus shows intermediate morphology between the Ephedaceae and the other two families of the gnetophytes, and is probably a missing link in the evolutionary process from the Ephedraceae to the clade including the Gnetaceae and the Welwitschiaceae.     

First record of a weevil (Coleoptera: Nemonychidae) from the Lower Cretaceous (Wealden) of southern England

A new weevil, Oxycorynoides bucklowae sp. nov. is described from the lower Barremian Upper Weald Clay Formation of south Surrey, UK. The new species differs from other species of the nominative subgenus in the large body size; large, elongate eyes; and distinctly curved rostrum. It approaches but is also distinguished from the Berriasian-Hauterivian Oxycorynoides mongolicus Zherikhin, 1986 and O. gurvanensis Legalov, 2010 from Mongolia by the long metaventrite from the former species, and by the short rostrum from the latter.     

New pelecinid wasps (Hymenoptera: Pelecinidae) from the Yixian Formation of western Liaoning,China

A new species, Shoushida infera sp. nov. and a new genus with a new species, Stelepelecinus longus gen. et sp. nov., both in Pelecinidae, are described and illustrated. All specimens were collected from the Lower Cretaceous of Yixian Formation, Jehol Biota at Huangbanjigou, Beipiao City, western Liaoning Province, China. The forewing of Shoushida infera sp. nov. has a rudimentary “X” pattern, formed by veins of Rs, Rs₁, Rs₂ and 2r-rs, which is similar to but slightly different from that of Shoushida regilla Liu, Shih et Ren, 2009. Consistent with the phylogeny of Pelecinidae reported by Shih et al., 2010, this new species and S. regilla represent a transition between basal and crown pelecinids and the rudimentary “X” pattern evolved later to a more developed and robust “X” pattern in more derived pelecinids. In addition, the long petiole of the basalmost segment of metasoma, present in the male Stelepelecinus longus gen. et sp. nov., is documented for the first time, suggesting a likely Early Cretaceous origination of metasomal evolution leading to the thin and long petiole structure in the extant male Pelecinus thoracicus. We proposed two probable pathways of the transformation of the pelecinid male metasoma from the most plesiomorphic state to the more apomorphic states.     

A new species of fossil Procercopidae (Hemiptera,Cicadomorpha) from the Lower Cretaceous of Northeastern China

New fossil genus with a new species, Stellularis longirostris Chen, Yao and Ren, gen. et sp. nov., from the family Procercopidae, are described. New specimens were collected from the Lower Cretaceous non-marine sedimentary strata from the Yixian Formations of northeast China. The exceptionally well-preserved materials reveal fine details of the body structure and morphology including rostrum, legs, abdomen, anteclypeus and ovipositor. The genera Luanpingia Hong, 1983 and Cathaycixius Ren, Lu, and Guo, 1995 are discussed.     

The first fossil species of subfamily Piestinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) from the Lower Cretaceous of China

Two new Early Cretaceous fossil rove beetle species, Paleosiagonium brevelytratum n. gen. n. sp. and Paleosiagonium adaequatum n. gen. n. sp. are described from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Liaoning Province, China. They are clearly placed in the extant Piestinae according to the following characters: body elongate and flat; anterior coxae small and globose; abdomen long and parallel-sided, with six visible sterna and one pair of paratergites on segments III–VII. This is the first report on the occurrence of the coleopteran subfamily Piestinae in the fossil record. The new discoveries indicate that Piestinae have originated at least by the Early Cretaceous, at about 125–120 Ma.     

A new titanosaur (Dinosauria,Sauropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of Lo Hueco (Cuenca,Spain)

The upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian site of Lo Hueco (Cuenca, Spain) has provided a set of well-preserved partial skeletons in anatomical connection or with a low dispersion of their skeletal elements. One partial skeleton is herein described and a new titanosaurian sauropod is established, Lohuecotitan pandafilandi. This titanosaur is diagnosed by eight autapomorphic features: dorsally and ventrally widened or bifurcated posterior centrodiapophyseal lamina in anterior and middle dorsal vertebrae; short postspinal lamina with a transversely expanded distal end represented by smooth scars in the dorsal vertebrae; anteriormost caudals with the medial spinoprezygapophyseal and medial spinopostzygapophyseal laminae ventrally connected with the prespinal and postspinal laminae, respectively; anterior caudal neural spines with a dorsal projection of the prespinal and postspinal laminae; anterior caudal neural spines bears a “greek-cross”-like cross-section; middle caudal centra having two round and rough structures in the dorsal edge of the posterior articulation, which extends to the dorsal surface of the centrum; the articular ends of the rami of the haemal arches are divided in two articular surfaces; and tuberosity between the anterior and the lateral trochanter of the fibula. The herein performed phylogenetic analysis considered L. pandafilandi as a member of Lithostrotia more derived than Malawisaurus. The known palaeodiversity of the Late Cretaceous Ibero-Armorican titanosaurs is increasing, and further analyses focused on this group will be necessary to better understand the evolutionary history of European titanosaurs and to clarify their relationships within Titanosauria.