An international team of paleontologists has released the results of their recent discovery. Scientists have described a completely new species of crickets based on a specimen found in a piece of amber from the Cretaceous period.
Amber, a fossilized resin formed from ancient trees, has long been considered a time capsule for Earth's past. He often preserves organisms in detail, enclosing them in a golden, translucent prison for millions of years. The unique properties of amber have allowed scientists to gain an unparalleled understanding of ancient ecosystems, from insects to flora.
The newly released specimen of the cricket was found in northern Myanmar, in the Hukaung Valley. In the region known for a large number of similar finds. This tiny creature is a cricket named Qiongqi crinalis. It belongs to the Trigonidiidae family.
As explained by entomologists, Trigonidiidae is a large family of crickets that was widespread in the past and in the present. A piece of amber about 99 million years old provides a surprisingly well-preserved glimpse into the life of this ancient insect.
This family consists of two subfamilies, Nemobiinae and Trigonidiinae, which include 125 genera and 1034 species. The subfamilies Trigonidiinae and Nemobiinae differ from each other, including that most Nemobiinae crickets live and feed in leaf litter. So far, science has known about 10 species of crickets, now the list has been supplemented by one more such species.
The new cricket species exhibits several unique features. Unusual head shape, body with strong bristles and hairs. Complex eyes and a rather long jaw.
According to paleontologists, the peculiarities of the structure of the found insect make it more like a predator than a typical peace-loving cricket.
The discovery of a new species provides valuable information about the evolution of crickets and their acoustic adaptations. By comparing the fossil specimen with modern crickets, scientists can trace the evolutionary changes that have occurred in the anatomy of these insects over millions of years.
The discovery of paleontologists further emphasizes the scientific potential of fossils preserved in resin.
Source: sci.news
