New fossil ants of the subfamily Myrmeciinae (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from Germany

Two new fossil members of the subfamily Myrmeciinae are described: Archimyrmex wedmannae, sp. nov (Grube Messel, Germany, Middle Eocene) and Prionomyrmex wappleri, sp. nov. (Rott, Germany, Late Oligocene). Members of the genus Archimyrmex were known earlier from Eocene deposits of the United States and Argentina, and members of the genus Prionomyrmex were known from Late Eocene Baltic amber.     

LUTETIACADER, A PUZZLING NEW GENUS OF CANTACADERID LACE BUGS (HETEROPTERA: TINGIDAE) FROM THE MIDDLE EOCENE MESSEL MAAR, GERMANY

Abstract:  A new genus of cantacaderid lace bugs, Lutetiacader gen. et sp. nov., is described from the lower Middle Eocene of Messel Quarry, Germany. It clearly belongs to the cantacaderid lineage of Tingidae, and is the second known fossil genus of the tribe Cantacaderini (after Paleocader Froeschner). It appears to be most similar to extant species of the genera Nectocader Drake (Brazil) and Teratocader Drake (Malay Peninsula). Lutetiacader occupies a central position with respect to the geographical gap between the ranges of these two extant genera. Its biogeographical significance is discussed.     

Chaneya, a New Genus of Winged Fruit from the Tertiary of North America and Eastern Asia

A new genus is recognized on the basis of wind-dispersed fruits from the Eocene of western North America and Miocene of eastern Asia. The fruits consist of an accrescent hypogynous calyx of five obovate sepals and one or more globose fruit bodies. Although the fossils were formerly placed in the extant genera Porana (Convolvulaceae) and Astronium (Anacardiaceae), our investigation of numerous specimens from several floras in the western United States (e.g., Florissant, Green River, Clarno) and Canada (Whipsaw Creek, British Columbia) and the Yilan and Shanwang floras of China reveals unique characters that indicate that the fossils are a distinct genus, which we name Chaneya. Unlike Porana and Astronium, the fossil calyces have stomata that are longitudinally aligned, and early stages of fruit development show a gynoecium of five apocarpous carpels, of which only one or two usually enlarge at maturity. Precise systematic placement of the fossil genus is uncertain, but similarities to the extant Picrasma of the Simaroubaceae are suggestive of possible affinities. Two species are recognized: Chaneya tenuis (Lesq.) comb. nov., from the Eocene of western North America and northeastern China, and Chaneya kokangensis (Endo) comb. nov., from the Miocene of eastern Asia.     

Fossil cyclanthus (cyclanthaceae, pandanales) from the eocene of Germany and England

The first known fossil fruits and seeds of Cyclanthaceae are described here. Cyclanthus messelensis sp. nov., from the Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany, has discoidal fruiting cycles up to 6 cm in diameter, with a central hole, radiating fiber strands, a thickened outer rim, and paratetracytic stomata. In situ seeds are up to 2 mm long, with an elongate micropylar end, a chalazal neck, and adpressed bands. The Messel fruits and seeds are nearly identical to those of Cyclanthus, differing in minor details of cuticular structure and seeds. The exceptional preservation at Messel (including in situ and isolated seeds) has also allowed us to establish the taxonomic affinity of isolated seeds ('Scirpus' lakensis) that are spatially and temporally widespread in the late Early and early Middle Eocene of southern England. Cyclanthus lakensis comb. nov. is described here as a morphotaxon for isolated fossil Cyclanthus seeds, preserved only as cuticular envelopes. Cyclanthus is another example of links between Eocene Europe and Recent South American floras because it is found today only from Mexico to South America. This material represents the first fossil fruits and seeds of Cyclanthus, which clearly was once growing in the Paleogene of the Old World.     

New spiders in Upper Cretaceous amber from New Jersey in the American Museum of Natural History (Arthropoda: Araneae)

The oldest described fossils of the extant spider family Araneidae (Araneinae; gen. et sp. indet.), the extant genus Orchestina (Oonopidae; O. sp. indet.) and the new fossil genus Palaeosegestria (Segestriidae; P. lutzzii gen. et sp. nov.) are presented from Upper Cretaceous amber of New Jersey. The known fossil range of the extant family Araneidae is extended approximately 50 myr from the previously oldest described araneid from the Middle Eocene oil shales of the Messel pit in Hesse, Germany. The fossil range of the extant genus Orchestina is also extended 50 myr from the previously oldest described specimen in Eocene Baltic amber.     

New trogons from the early Tertiary of Germany

A new trogon (Aves, Trogoniformes), Primotrogon? pumilio sp. nov., is described from the Middle Eocene (49 Ma) of Messel in Germany. It is the first articulated skeleton of an Eocene trogon, of which only very few fragmentary remains were hitherto known. It is also the earliest complete skeleton of a trogon, exceeding previous finds (Primotrogon wintersteini Mayr 1999) by at least 15 million years. An isolated wing of a trogon is further identified from the early Oligocene (about 30–34 Ma) of the fossil site Frauenweiler in Germany. Primotrogon? pumilio and all other sufficiently well‐preserved early Tertiary trogons appear to be stem group representatives of the Trogoniformes, corresponding with molecular clock data indicating a mid‐Tertiary origin of crown group Trogoniformes.     

The first New World occurrence of the Eocene birdPlesiocathartes (Aves: ?Leptosomidae)

Two new species of the Eocene avian taxonPlesiocathartes (Aves: ?Leptosomidae) are described. They are similar in size and overall appearance to other members of the genus, as well as to the extant Madagascan cuckoo-rollerLeptosomus discolor. So far, putative fossil Leptosomidae have been found only in the Eocene European de-posits of Messel, Geiseltal, Quercy, and London Clay. Both new species are from the Lower Eocene Green River Formation (USA) and thus the first New World representatives of this taxon.     

A golden orb-weaver spider (Araneae: Nephilidae: Nephila) from the Middle Jurassic of China

Nephila are large, conspicuous weavers of orb webs composed of golden silk, in tropical and subtropical regions. Nephilids have a sparse fossil record, the oldest described hitherto being Cretaraneus vilaltae from the Cretaceous of Spain. Five species from Neogene Dominican amber and one from the Eocene of Florissant, CO, USA, have been referred to the extant genus Nephila. Here, we report the largest known fossil spider, Nephila jurassica sp. nov., from Middle Jurassic (approx. 165 Ma) strata of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China. The new species extends the fossil record of the family by approximately 35 Ma and of the genus Nephila by approximately 130 Ma, making it the longest ranging spider genus known. Nephilidae originated somewhere on Pangaea, possibly the North China block, followed by dispersal almost worldwide before the break-up of the supercontinent later in the Mesozoic. The find suggests that the palaeoclimate was warm and humid at this time. This giant fossil orb-weaver provides evidence of predation on medium to large insects, well known from the Daohugou beds, and would have played an important role in the evolution of these insects.     

The ant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphaenogaster dlusskyana</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Hymenoptera,Formicidae) from the Sakhalin amber—the earliest described species of an extant genus of Myrmicinae

The earliest member of an extant ant genus of the subfamily Myrmicinae, Aphaenogaster dlusskyana sp. nov., from the Sakhalin amber (Russia, Middle Eocene, 43–47 Ma) is described. Fossil representatives of the genus Aphaenogaster are critically analyzed and it is proposed to transfer many of these to the fossil morphotaxon Paraphaenogaster. The morphology, distribution, and possible evolutionary trends of the genus Aphaenogaster are reviewed and it is suggested that this genus appeared in the territory currently occupied by the Palearctic not later than the Early Eocene (over 50 Ma). Aphaenogaster dlusskyana can be considered the oldest described representative of an extant genus of the subfamily Myrmicinae, although earlier, as yet undescribed, records of extant genera of Myrmicinae belong to the Early Eocene.     

Fossil water‐penny beetles (Coleoptera: Psephenidae: Eubrianacinae) from the Eocene of Europe,with remarks on their phylogenetic position and biogeography

Abstract: A species of water‐penny beetles is recorded from larval instars from the Middle Eocene Messel pit fossil site in Germany. This species clearly belongs to the psephenid subfamily Eubrianacinae, but its precise systematic affinities remain unclear. It is the second fossil species of this taxon recorded from Europe. The holotype of the first fossil species, Eubrianax vandeli Bertrand and Laurentiaux, 1963, is lost. The high number of fossil specimens from Messel allowed discussion of stratigraphic and spatial occurrence of the eubrianacine species in the Messel pit, but its larval ontogeny could not be unravelled. Because of the high number of fossils and their wide occurrence, it is inferred that the species from Messel gen. sp. 1 was an autochthonous faunal element of the Eocene Lake Messel, which might indicate that some parts of the former Lake Messel had a shore area with stones. The analysis of the phylogenetic position of both Eocene eubrianacine species showed that their phylogenetic placement cannot be resolved because preservational influences limit the evaluation of characters. The historical biogeography of Psephenidae and Eubrianacinae is analysed and discussed. The fossil record shows that psephenid beetles have fossil members occurring outside their current distribution range, so interpretations of their biogeography based only on extant members can be misleading.     

Elucidating the affinities and habitat of ancient, widespread Cyperaceae: Volkeria messelensis gen. et sp. nov., a fossil mapanioid sedge from the Eocene of Europe

The sedges (family Cyperaceae) are an economically and ecologically important monocot group dating back at least to the Paleocene. While modern genera are mostly unknown before the Oligocene, several extinct taxa are recognized as the earliest sedges. Their affinities have been unclear until now, because they are found as isolated, often abraded fruits or endocarps. Exceptionally preserved sedge fossils from the Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany yield more characters for identification. Fossil cyperacean infructescences with in situ pollen are recognized for the first time and show features of the early-divergent mapanioid sedges. Pollen resembles that of tribe Hypolytreae. Comparisons with extant taxa suggest the closest affinities with Hypolytrum and Mapania. However, the Messel fossils represent a distinct taxon, Volkeria messelensis gen. et sp. nov. Without the additional characters of infructescence and pollen, the Messel fruits would have been placed in the extinct genus Caricoidea, a typical Eocene sedge that was widespread across Eurasia. Similarities of fruit structure suggest that Caricoidea was also a mapanioid sedge. Mapanioid sedges are found today in tropical wet forests and swamps, a distribution suggesting that early sedges occupied a similar habitat, unlike many modern sedges, and were not precursors to open grassland vegetation.     

A new species of Platydracus Thomson, 1858 (Coleoptera,Staphylinidae, Staphylininae) from the upper Eocene Florissant beds,Colorado, USA

Platydracus breviantennatus n. sp., is described and figured based on an impression fossil from the upper Eocene Florissant beds of Colorado, the United States. Based on the large and densely setose body, relatively small eyes, and robust mandibles (right mandible seemingly with one simple preapical tooth), tibiae and antennae, the new species is placed in the modern genus Platydracus Thomson, 1858. It differs from other species of Platydracus by its large body, small head, and distinctly short antennae.     

A small, “wader-like” bird from the Early Eocene of Messel (Germany)

A small bird with a shorebird-like beak and a very long hind toe is described from the Early Eocene of Messel in Germany. Vanolimicola longihallucis, gen. et sp. nov. is one of the few candidate species for a “wading bird” from Messel, that is, a bird that may have foraged along the shoreline of the ancient lake. A few features indicate a relationship to charadriiform birds and Jacanidae (jacanas) in particular, but charadriiform affinities are only weakly supported. In the preserved skeletal elements, V. longihallucis also resembles the taxon Songzia from the Early Eocene of China, which is considered to be a representative of the Ralloidea (rails and allies). A potential biogeographic significance of the new Messel fossil is strengthened by similar fossils from the North American Green River Formation.     

Opisthobranch molluscs from the Tertiary of the Aquitaine Basin (south-western France), with descriptions of seven new species and a new genus

An exceptionally well-preserved collection of Tertiary opisthobranch molluscs from the Aquitaine Basin, France, includes species of the order Notaspidea [ Umbraculum sanctipaulensis sp. nov., Tylodina perversa (Gmelin), Spiricella unguiculus Rang and Des Moulins, Berthella aquitaniensis sp. nov., Berthella ateles sp. nov.], of the order Anaspidea [ Akera cf. bullata Mu¨ller, Floribella corrugata (Cossmann), Floribella cossmanni sp. nov., Floribella rozieri sp. nov., Limondinia ornata gen. et sp. nov.] and of the order Sacoglossa [ Volvatella faviae sp. nov.]. Berthella aquitaniensis B. ateles V. faviae are the first fossil records of the families Volvatellidae and Pleurobranchidae. Floribella plicifera (Cossmann) and F. corrugata , originally assigned to the genus Philine , belong to the genus Floribella and constitute the oldest records of this genus. The fossil evidence indicates that in Umbraculum laudunensis and U. sanctipaulensis the shell probably covered most of the animal, whereas in the Recent U. umbraculum the shell only covers the central portion of the body. Tylodina perversa could be an old species that appeared during the early Miocene, more than 21 Ma. The Recent shells of Akera bullata are indistinguishable from fossils as old as the mid Eocene, but it may be biologically unrealistic to consider them to be the same species. The European species of Floribella evolved from the bullomorph shells of the early Eocene forms to the elongate shells of the early Miocene. The genus Volvatella is another example of marine tropical disjoint distributions and an excellent ecological indicator.     

First fossil Calopterygoidea (Odonata: Zygoptera) from Southeastern Asia: A new genus and species from the Paleogene of China

Sinocalopteryx shangyongensis nov. gen., nov. sp., the first fossil calopterygoid from eastern Asia, is described from the earliest Eocene of Southwest China. Although the new genus has the principle synapomorphies of Calopterygoidea, it possesses a unique structure (possible reversal) in the pattern of vein RP1/2.     

Cretaceous and Eocene fossils of the rare extant genus Synneuron Lundstrom (Diptera: Canthyloscledidae): evidence of a true Pangean clade

The first two fossil species of the canthyloscelid genus Synneuron are described based on compression wings. Synneuron eomontana sp. nov. is described from the Middle Eocene Coal Creek Member of the Kishenehn Formation, in the USA, and Synneuron jelli sp. nov. is described from the Lower Cretaceous Koonwarra Fossil Bed of the Korumburra Group, in Australia. The wings are illustrated and compared to the extant species of the genus, to species of the three other recent genera of Canthyloscelidae and to an anisopodid. A phylogenetic analysis of the relationships between the species of Synneuron was performed. The Eocene fossil S. eomontana appears as sister of the pair of recent Holarctic species of the genus, while the Australian Cretaceous species S. jelli is sister of the clade with the species of Synneuron of the northern hemisphere. The sister group of Synneuron is the canthyloscelid clade (Hyperoscelis + Canthyloscelis), for which a middle Jurassic fossil is known. At the early Cretaceous, Gondwana was already separated from Laurasia and the disjunction between the species of Synneuron in Australia and the northern hemisphere clade of the genus suggest a true pangeic origin for the genus. The biology of the canthyloscelid larvae is shaped by its trophic specialization—xylosaprophagous. This suggests that the transition from the Pangean Jurassic gymnosperm-dominated forests to the late Cretaceous angiosperm-dominated forests may be related to the low recent diversity of Synneuron or of the canthyloscelids in the world—and maybe to the extinction of the genus in the southern hemisphere. This major turnover of the vegetation type along the Cretaceous may be also somehow related to the complete extinction of other groups of flies strictly associated with gymnosperms, as may be the case of the lower brachyceran family Zhangsolvidae. This speculation needs additional corroboration from other groups, that will become available with the combination of systematics, paleontology and biogeographical information of different early Cretaceous clades.     

Diversity of Menispermaceae from the Paleocene and Eocene of South China

We present here the earliest known Asian fossil records of the Menispermaceae based on fossil fruits from Paleocene and Eocene localities in South China. A new genus and species, Paleoorbicarpum parvum sp. nov., and two new species of Stephania Loureiro, S. ornamenta sp. nov. and S. geniculata sp. nov., are recognized from Paleocene deposits of the Sanshui Basin, Guangdong, and a new occurrence of the widespread Eocene species Stephania auriformis (Hollick) Han & Manchester is recognized from the Maoming Basin, Guangdong. The Paleocene Stephania specimens described here represent the earliest fossil endocarp record of the Menispermaceae in eastern Asia. This discovery shows that the moonseed family had arrived in tropical and humid South China by at least the middle Paleocene, which provides important evidence for the origin and phytogeographic history of the family.     

山东山旺中中新世鳅科化石

本文描述的较完整的花鳅 Cobitis 化石在我国尚属首次发现.花鳅属是花鳅亚科(Cobitinae)中较进步的鱼类,广布于欧洲、亚洲和非洲,已知化石则产自欧洲和亚洲的第三系.长胸鳍花鳅 Cobitis longipectoralis sp. nov. 的发现为探讨鳅科起源及其地理分布提供了新的资料.     

FOSSIL EXTRAFLORAL NECTARIES,EVIDENCE FOR THE ANT-GUARD ANTIHERBIVORE DEFENSE IN AN OLIGOCENE POPULUS

Extrafloral nectaries are secretory glands, usually found on leaves, that have been shown to promote ant defense against the insect herbivores of many modem day plants. Extrafloral nectaries were found on the 35-million-year-old fossil leaves of the extinct Populus crassa from Florissant, Colorado. Extinct ant species (belonging to five still extant genera that have modem ant-guard species), and other predators and parasitoids (whose modem relatives frequent extrafloral nectaries) also lived at Florissant. The extrafloral nectaries of P. crassa (and perhaps other plants) probably operated to attract ants and/or other arthropod defenders as early as the Oligocene.