Lebanese University Faculty of Sciences II Department of Natural Sciences Fanar Fanar - Matn – P.O. Box 26110217 LEBANON Tel: +961 (0)3 79 36 38
and
Laboratoire d’Entomologie Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle 45, rue Buffon 75005 Paris - FRANCE Tel : +33 (0)1 40 70 33 85 Fax : +33 (0)1 40 79 36 99
azar@mnhn.fr
Prof. Dr Hab. Palaeoentomology, Forensic Entomology Palaeoenvironment, Biodiversity and Evolution
Professor, Dpt. of Natural Sciences, Lebanese University. Director of Research Team,"Biodiversity: Origin, Structure, Evolution, and Geology", Lebanese Univ. Co-responsible of Master :"Managment & Conservation of Natural Resources", Lebanese Univ. Visiting Professor, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris
Editorial Position: Editorial Board, Polskie Pismo Entomologiczne
Education: Master of Science, 'Animal Physiology', Lebanese Univ.,1995 Master of Science, 'Molecular and Cellular Biology, Option Human Genetics', Univ. Marseille III, 1996 Master of Advanced Studies, 'Biodiversity: Genetic, History & Mechanisms of Evolution' Univ. Paris VI (Pierre et Marie Curie), 1997 PhD, 'Mesozoic Ambers of Lebanon', Univ. Paris XI (Orsay), 2000 Habilitation & Accreditation to Supervise Research, Univ. Reims-Champagne-Ardennes, 2003
Abstract: A new species of biting midge is described and figured based on five females from the uppermost Albian amber of France. One specimen preserved in opaque amber was reconstructed by propagation phase contrast X-ray synchrotron microtomography, allowing for detailed observation of minute external features. Leptoconops daugeroni Choufani, Azar and Nel, sp. nov. can be attributed to thegroup of subgenera [Holoconops Kieffer (Ann Hist-Nat Mus Natl Hung 16:31â136, 1918)+(Megaconops Wirth and Atchley+Leptoconops s. str. + Proleptoconops Clastrier (Parassitologia 16:231â238, 1974))], making inference on its palaeoecology possible, with larvae of this clade living in moist and usually saline sandy soil on coastal and inland beaches, which is congruent with the current reconstruction of the palaeoenvironment of this amber deposit.
Abstract: Ilahulgabalus endaidus gen. sp.n. (Progonocimicidae: Cicadocorinae) the fi rst representative of Coleorrhyncha from the Lower Cretaceous amber of Lebanon is described. Th e placement of the new taxon within Coleorrhyncha and the evolutionary history of the suborder are discussed.
Abstract: An amber-bearing lignitic layer of sandy clay from the Lower Cretaceous of Central Lebanon (Mderej-Hammâna) yielded a well-preserved, moderately variegated palynoflora, which origin is mixed between land plants and marine microflora. Its detailed analysis led to fulfill its inventory, to propose a paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and to draw the paleoclimate which prevailed over the region: an estuarian area under a rather humid, temperate climate; a variety of ferns grew near the shore-side and in the inward land. A tiny piece of amber containing angiospermous pollen grains of stratigraphical interest allows a precise dating. The marine microflora, poorly diversified, includes
chitinous foraminifer linings and dinoflagellate cysts, among which Early Aptian guide taxa are present; their occurrence slightly narrows the stratigraphical range indicated by some palynological taxa which are related to land plants.
Abstract: Libanopsyllipsocus alexanderasnitsyni gen. et sp. n., of Psyllipsocidae is described and figured from the Lower Cretaceous amber of Lebanon. The position of the new taxon is discussed and the fossil is compared to other psyllipsocids. The species represents the earliest record of the family Psyllipsocidae.
Abstract: Rhadinolabis phoenicica Engel, Ortega-Blanco & Azar gen. et sp.n. is described and fi gured from two female earwigs preserved in Early Cretaceous amber from Lebanon, representing the oldest Dermaptera in amber. In addition a partial nymph is recorded from the same deposits. Th e placement of the genus among Neodermaptera is briefl y discussed.
Abstract: Libanomphientomum nudus gen. et sp.n. is described and assigned to Amphientometae, possibly Amphientomidae, but it is devoid of scales on body and wings, which is very unlikely in this family, questioning the diagnostic value of this character for the family. Th is fossil provides evidence that the Amphientometae are an old group and that their evolutionary history was more complex than previously thought
Abstract: A new genus and species, Yuripopovina magnifica, belonging to a new coreoid family, Yuripopovinidae (Hemiptera: Pentatomomorpha), is described and illustrated from the Lower Cretaceous amber of Lebanon. The species represents the first definitive Mesozoic record for the Coreoidea. A cladistic analysis of Coreoidea, including the new family, is undertaken.
Abstract: Trichomyia duckhousei, a new species belonging to Psychodidae Trichomyiinae, is characterized and described based on a well-preserved specimen from the lower Eocene Fushun amber of China. It shares some similarities with Trichomyia of Group B, but has some features present in the fossil record but not in Recent taxa, such as non-eccentric flagellomeres and long legs. This discovery represents the first Trichomyiinae (Psychodidae) from the Fushun amber, and adds more evidence on the very high palaeodiversity of the psychodids since at least the middle Cretaceous. An updated check list of fossil Trichomyiinae is given.
Abstract: Three new genera and species of primitive termites (Isoptera) are described and fi gured from Early Cretaceous French and Lebanese ambers: Santonitermes chloeae ENGEL, NEL & PERRICHOT, n. gen., n. sp., from an imago preserved in Charentese amber (AlbianâCenomanian); Syagriotermes salomeae ENGEL, NEL & PERRICHOT, n. gen., n. sp., from an alate detected in opaque amber from the same locality and reconstructed using synchrotron microtomographic imaging; and Lebanotermes veltzae ENGEL, AZAR & NEL, n. gen., n. sp., from an alate preserved in Lebanese
amber (Aptian). The three genera exhibit primitive features of the Meiatermes-grade of early isopteran genera (sensu ENGEL et al. 2009). In addition, three further fragmentary specimens from Lebanon amber are reported, each apparently distinct from Lebanotermes n. gen. and the previously described Melqartitermes ENGEL et al., 2007. The new fossils further document the diversity and morphological disparity of âlowerâ termite groups during the Early Cretaceous, highlighting the importance of palaeontological material for understanding isopteran phylogeny as well as the diversifi cation of Isoptera in the latest Jurassic and Early Cretaceous.
Abstract: New material of the wasp family Maimetshidae (Apocrita) is presented from four Cretaceous amber deposit â the Neocomian of Lebanon, the Early Albian of Spain, the latest Albian/earliest Cenomanian of France, and the Campanian of Canada. The new record from Canadian Cretaceous amber extends the temporal and paleogeographical range of the family. New material from France is assignable to Guyotemaimetsha
enigmatica Perrichot et al. including the first females for the species, while a series of males and females from Spain are described and figured as Iberomaimetsha Ortega-Blanco, Perrichot & Engel, gen. n., with the two new species Iberomaimetsha rasnitsyni Ortega-Blanco, Perrichot & Engel, sp. n. and I. nihtmara Ortega-Blanco, Delclòs & Engel, sp. n.; a single female from Lebanon is described and figured
as Ahiromaimetsha najlae Perrichot, Azar, Nel & Engel, gen. et sp. n., and a single male from Canada is described and figured as Ahstemiam cellula McKellar & Engel, gen. et sp. n. The taxa are compared with other maimetshids, a key to genera and species is given, and brief comments made on the family.
Abstract: One specimen among coleopterous inclusions recently recovered in Lebanese amber is described as Libanochrus calvus gen. et sp. nov. and assigned to the subfamily Liparochrinae of the Hybosoridae. This specimen is incomplete but a large part of its head with appendages, prothoracic segment with anterior legs, remains of the median part of the pterothoracic underside and the lateral base of the of the right elytron make possible the conclusion on the subfamily attribution and diagnose it among the rest of fossil and recent taxa of this family. At present it is the oldest representative of the subfamily.
Abstract: We report the discovery of the first damselfly in the Lower Cretaceous amber of Lebanon. This damselfl y is somehow similar in size and wing shape to the Mesozoic hemiphlebiid of Russia, England, Jordan and Brazil which suggests that the group of small lestid-like Zygoptera was widespread and well diverse during that period and probably very old. Zygoptera are a phantom group between the Late Triassic, their probable time of appearance, and the Upper Jurassic, period of their first diversification.
Abstract: Liadopsylla apedetica sp.n. Ouvrard, Burckhardt & Azar and L. hesperia sp.n. Ouvrard & Burckhardt are described from Lebanon and New Jersey amber, respectively, constituting the first descriptions of Psylloidea preserved in Cretaceous amber. Liadopsylla hesperia is the first representative of Liadopsyllidae found in the New World. Liadopsylla apedetica is remarkably well preserved, showing conical, mobile metacoxae. This suggests that Liadopsyllidae did not jump the way extant psyllids do. It is proposed that enlarged metacoxae fused with the complex metathoracic furcae constitute a synapomorphy of extant Psylloidea. This trait was first observed in fossils from the Eocene. As such, the inability to jump in a few extant members of Psylloidea is a secondary loss that probably occurred several times independently. The families Liadopsyllidae and Malmopsyllidae are also redefined; within Liadopsyllidae, the genus Mesopsylla is synonymized with Liadopsylla. The origin and palaeobiogeography of the Liadopsyllidae are briefly discussed.
