Vincent Perrichot

Abstract: A new fossil of megalyrid wasp recently discovered in Early Cretaceous (Albian) amber from El Soplao (Cantabria, Spain) is described as the male of Megalava truncata Perrichot, 2009, originally described from Peñacerrada I (= Moraza) amber (Burgos, Spain). The new specimen permits a more thorough description of the genus Megalava, which was established originally from a single, fragmentary specimen lacking the metasoma, and also permits a discussion on the characters of phylogenetic value for the clade [Megazar + Megalava].

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Abstract: Prioriphora is an extinct genus of phorid flies that has been described from the Upper Cretaceous amber of Canada, Siberia and the United States. Here, we present the first record of this genus in amber from southwestern France, with the description of P. schroederhohenwarthi Solórzano Kraemer & Perrichot sp. nov. The holotype and two paratypes were studied using traditional light microscopy and propagation phase contrast X-ray synchrotron microtomography (PPC-SRμCT), rendering high resolution three-dimensional models for critical examination. A key to the nine species of Prioriphora is provided, and the diversity and ecology of the prioriphorine grade during the Cretaceous is discussed briefly.

Abstract: The French Early Eocene (Ypresian, 52–55 million-year-old) amber of Oise contains a rich and well-diversified myrmecofauna, which has remained unstudied until now. A recent survey of these fossil ants revealed 40 different species, among which nine belong to the subfamily Ponerinae. We describe here the two best-preserved morphotypes: a possible ergatoid queen representing the earliest known occurrence of the extant genus Platythyrea Roger, and described as a new species P. dlusskyi sp. n.; and a male morphotype related to the equivocal, paraphyletic genus Pachycondyla Smith, thus described herein but not formally assigned to genus until the male-based taxonomy of Ponerinae is better established. This fauna provides an ecological context to make inferences about the paleoenvironment of northwestern Europe during the PETM and gives new arguments for a radiation of modern ants at that time.

Abstract: Over the past decade, the mid-Cretaceous amber deposits of Charentes (SW France) have been intensively studied. The fossils investigated were not only limited to arthropods preserved in amber, but also included microorganisms, plant debris and vertebrate remains. This plethora of analyses provided important data about the ecology of the overall system, including sources of litter input into the soil and of the above-ground ecology. More precisely, they showed that most of the microfossils were those of soil organisms or organisms that participated in the ecology of the forest soil. This new discovery provided the opportunity to study the ecology of the soil as preserved in the 100 million years old Charentes amber. Indeed, the trophic links of the fossil forest soil have been reconstructed on the basis of the fossil assemblage discovered in amber outcrops and overlayed on a model ecological forest soil food web. We relied on existing phylogenetic information to discuss the absence of certain taxonomic groups in the fossilized specimens. Our synthesis shows that although the organisms of this ancient forest of Charentes were different from those of modern soils, the soil food web was organized functionally the same as modern soils. It also demonstrated that trophic links of the soil community were already diverse, including various means of predation, parasitism and organic matter decomposition. The most obvious differences are the absence of evidence for symbiotic root nitrogen fixation and mycorrhizae.

Abstract: A micropterous female embolemid is recorded in middle Eocene Baltic amber. Embolemus excitus Perrichot and Engel, sp. nov., is easily distinguished from other extinct and living species by the pronotum with only a weak mediolongitudinal furrow and with a lateral carina along the edge anterior to tegula, the mesopleuron with a pronounced medial dorsoventral carina, and the propodeum with dorsoposterior corners tuberculate. The new species also uniquely combines greatly reduced compound eyes, a scape distinctly elongate, the pronotum twice as long as mesoscutum, and the forewings extending at most to the anterior border of the second metasomal tergum.

Abstract: A new genus and species of earwig is described and figured from mid-Cretaceous (Latest Albian-Earliest Cenomanian) amber of southwestern France. The holotype was studied using traditional light microscopy as well as through propagation phase contrast X-ray synchrotron microtomography, rendering high resolution three dimensional models for critical examination. Gallinympha walleri Perrichot & Engel, new genus and species, is represented by two late instar nymphs missing only portions of the abdomen, as well as most of the head for the paratype. The genus is a member of the Pygidicranidae, one of the most basal of living earwigs, and is distinguished from other taxa in the family. A thorough account of the specimen’s morphology is provided along with a detailed comparison with similar structures across a diversity of primitive earwig lineages.

Abstract: This paper presents fossil faecal pellets – also named coprolites or frass – attributed to termites, which were found in amber and lignitic clay from the Wealden (Hauterivian-Barremian?), Late Albian and Early Cenomanian of south-western France. These coprolites have a characteristic subcylindrical shape and hexagonal transverse section and are assignable to Microcarpolithes hexagonalis Vangerow. The termite families that possibly produced these coprolites are discussed. The noticeable lack of termite attacks on the fossil wood associated with amber and lignitic clay is taphonomically analyzed in relation with the palaeoflora and palaeoclimate of these amber forests. The different medium where coprolites were found (amber, wood, sediments) suggest that primitive Cretaceous termites had already developed various biologies, such as wood or cryptic foraging, but probably not yet soil-feeding.

Abstract: New material of the wasp family Maimetshidae (Apocrita) is presented from four Cretaceous amber deposits – 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 Iberomaimetsha 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: 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 the group of subgenera [Holoconops Kieffer + (Megaconops Wirth and Atchley + Leptoconops s. str. + Proleptoconops Clastrier)], 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: Three new genera and species of primitive termites (Isoptera) are described and figured from Early Cretaceous French and Lebanese ambers: Santonitermes chloeae Engel, Nel & Perrichot, n. gen., n. sp., from an imago preserved in Charentese amber (Albian–Cenomanian); 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 Aptian Lebanese amber. 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 are reported, each apparently specifically 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 ‘lower’ termite groups during the Early Cretaceous, highlighting the importance of palaeontological material for understanding isopteran phylogeny as well as the diversification of Isoptera in the latest Jurassic and Early Cretaceous.

Abstract: Amber is of great paleontological importance because it preserves a diverse array of organisms and associated remains from different habitats in and close to the amber-producing forests. Therefore, the discovery of amber inclusions is important not only for tracing the evolutionary history of lineages with otherwise poor fossil records, but also for elucidating the composition, diversity, and ecology of terrestrial paleoecosystems. Here, we report a unique find of African amber with inclusions, from the Cretaceous of Ethiopia. Ancient arthropods belonging to the ants, wasps, thrips, zorapterans, and spiders are the earliest African records of these ecologically important groups and constitute significant discoveries providing insight into the temporal and geographical origins of these lineages. Together with diverse microscopic inclusions, these findings reveal the interactions of plants, fungi and arthropods during an epoch of major change in terrestrial ecosystems, which was caused by the initial radiation of the angiosperms. Because of its age, paleogeographic location and the exceptional preservation of the inclusions, this fossil resin broadens our understanding of the ecology of Cretaceous woodlands.

Abstract: Amber-preserved shells of testate amoebae often provide as many diagnostic features as the tests of modern taxa. Most of these well-preserved microfossils are morphologically assignable to modern species indicating either evolutionary stasis or convergent evolution. Here we describe two Lower Cretaceous testate amoebae that are clearly distinguishable from modern species. Centropyxis perforata n. sp. and Leptochlamys galippei n. sp. possessed perforate shells that were previously unknown in these genera. They are preserved in highly fossiliferous amber pieces from the Upper Albian (ca. 100 million years old) of Archingeay/Les Nouillers (Charente-Maritime, southwestern France). Syninclusions of soil and litter dwelling arthropods and microorganisms indicate a limnetic-terrestrial microhabitat at the floor of a coastal conifer forest.

Abstract: The phylogenetic relationships of extant and extinct Megalyridae are analysed at the genus level. The dataset comprises seven outgroup taxa, all eight extant genera and a number of extinct taxa that have been associated with Megalyridae, including two genera from Maimetshidae, whose affinity with Megalyridae is uncertain. Analytical results are unstable because some of the fossil taxa have many missing entries. The most stable results are produced when the maimetshid taxa and Cretodinapsis are excluded. When included, these taxa fall outside crown-group Megalyridae, the maimetshid taxa being the sister of Orthogonalys (Trigonalidae). Based on the results of our analyses, we synonymize the fossil genera Rubes Perrichot n.syn. and Ukrainosa Perrichot & Perkovsky n.syn. with Prodinapsis, creating the new combinations Prodinapsis bruesi n.comb. and Prodinapsis prolata n.comb. When comparing past and present distributions of Megalyridae with the results of the phylogenetic analyses, it is evident that the genera radiated in the Mesozoic, and that the family as a whole was much more widespread then. The present-day distribution is essentially relictual, with range contraction since the early Tertiary probably being the result of climate deterioration, which caused the disappearance of tropical forests throughout the Palaearctic.

Abstract: The limits and difficulties related to the tools currently in use for palaeosynecological comparisons of faunas or floras of different geological periods are discussed. The new method of the Wagner parsimony Applied to Palaeosynecology Using Morphology (WAPUM method), is defined and tested on morphological characters gathered from two insect groups Odonatoptera and Thripida. The difficulties related to the monophyly of the taxonomic groups used in the more traditional approaches are no longer a problem when using the WAPUM method. In the WAPUM a character is ‘presence versus absence of species bearing a morphological structure’. The results obtained from use of the WAPUM minimize the number of changes among character states. Application of the WAPUM could reveal signals to confirm or object the currently available scenarios for the global changes in the evolution of past diversity and disparity of organisms (major changes or global crises of diversity).

Abstract: Cretaceous amber inclusions of faecal pellets of insects (also named frass) that consist of remnants of ascomycetes and basidiomycetes provide evidence for fungivory in the Mesozoic. Conidia of an anamorphic ascomycete and possible remnants of the perithecia of its teleomorph were found in Albian-Cenomanian resin from central Ethiopia. The new anamorphic genus and species Palaeocurvularia variabilis Dörfelt et A. R. Schmidt is described based on the fungal remnants inside and outside the faecal pellets in the amber. Other faecal pellets consisting of remnants of polyporoid basidiomata (polyporous fungi or bracket fungi) were found in amber pieces from the uppermost Albian of southwestern France. Pigmented skeletal hyphae, setae (spinulae) and basidiospores suggest that this insect food source belongs to the Hymenochaetales (Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetidae). Large fruiting bodies of the Homobasidiomycetes appear not until the Early Cretaceous in the fossil record. The newly found French amber inclusions show that already these early macromycetes must have served as habitat of fungivorous insects.

Abstract: Over the past six years, organic inclusions preserved in amber samples from outcrops worldwide have been imaged in 3D and discovered using propagation phase contrast based X-ray Synchrotron imaging techniques at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). A brief description of the techniques and protocols used for detecting and 3D non-destructive imaging of amber inclusions is provided. The latest results from the major amber projects in the ESRF are given, illustrating the increasing utility in the imaging capabilities of X-ray Synchrotron phase contrast microtomography.

Abstract: Two new fossils of Braconidae are described from Albian-Cenomanian amber of southwestern France, Protorhyssalodes arnaudi gen. n., sp. n., and Aenigmabracon capdoliensis gen. n., sp. n. The former appears superficially similar to the type genus and species of the extinct sub-family Protorhyssalinae, from Turonian New Jersey amber specimens, and the latter both to Protorhyssalus and to members of the extinct family Eoichneumonidae. However, both new taxa display unique combinations of wing venation characters making confident assignment to sub-family impossible. Indeed, they are the first braconids ever known to possess both vein 2-CU and a distinct trace of vein 2-1A on hindwing. The new fossil taxa are incorporated into a morphological analysis of extinct and extant ichneumonoids. As a result of the analyses we synonymize the Eoichneumonidae with the Braconidae.

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Abstract: Late Albian amber from Charente-Maritime (southwestern France) contains the first known marine diatoms preserved in a fossil resin. Approximately 70 inclusions were assignable to the genera Basilicostephanus, Coscinodiscus, Hemiaulus, Melosira, Paralia, Skeletonema, Stephanopyxis, Trochosira, ?Aulacoseira, and to the order Rhizosoleniales. Some of them are represented by several species. This diatom assemblage is mainly composed of colonial planktonic genera, which are typical for coastal shallow waters. The newly found amber inclusions extend the fossil record of four genera and one order from the Late Cretaceous and support certain molecular phylogenetic assumptions regarding the diversifi cation of marine diatoms in the Early Cretaceous. The unusual introduction of diatom shells from the beach or sea by wind, spray, or high tide onto the resin fl ows was possible because the amber forest grew close to the seashore.

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Abstract: The investigation of microorganisms preserved in amber from Charente-Maritime (south-western France) provides new insights into the mid-Cretaceous amber forest ecology. Amber from the localities of Archingeay and Cadeuil is unique due to the plethora of microinclusions and macroinclusions as well as the preservation of litter organisms. Soil microorganisms such as actinomycetes, sheathed prokaryotes, carnivorous fungi (Ascomycete), algae, testate amoebae and nematodes indicate that the resin solidified in terrestrial or limnetic-terrestrial microhabitats on the forest floor. Furthermore, arboreal and even marine microorganisms are preserved in the amber. This micro-assemblage suggests that the amber forest was located close to the sea shore or was at least temporarily under marine influence

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Abstract: Thermal properties of French Cretaceous ambers were investigated and compared with other ambers from various sites of the world. The amber samples came from ten different localities in southern France, Charente-Maritime and Charente regions, ranging from Late Albian to Santonian in age. Thermogravimetric (TG) and Differential Thermogravimetric (DTG) profiles were obtained at heating rate of 10 K/min in air, starting from room temperature (20°C) and reaching a maximum temperature of 700°C. Elemental Analysis for total Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Sulphur was also carried out. The TG combustion profile of the resins started after 200°C and complete combustion took place near 600°C. The DTG behaviour is characterized by a main exothermal peak situated between 394 and 420°C, accompanied by minor peaks and shoulders. The increasing value of the main exothermal peak correlates well to the increase of the age of the specimens, with a significant correlation coefficient (r = 0.7721, p = 0.0089). A significant correlation (r = 0.6728, p = 0.0004) is also found with other samples of different age and origin. By considering the whole pattern of DTG peaks, a possible fingerprinting model of the French ambers is evaluated by multivariate analysis. Cluster Analysis and Principal Component Analysis show the presence of several clusters, according to the geological age and possibly to the palaeobotanical origin. The elemental analysis is consistent with that of other Cretaceous samples from different sites of the world. Carbon and hydrogen are the main constituents (range 73-80% and 9.5-11.5% respectively). Sulphur is detected in small amounts (0.8-2.4%). Nitrogen is absent or appears as traces only (0-0.008%). Oxygen and trace elements range from 4.6 to 16.8%. No successful clustering was possible according to the elemental composition. Thermal analysis, completed with multivariate statistics, is a useful source of information also for French ambers, as a help for identification of the age, diagenetic processes and palaeobotanical origin.

Abstract: Fifty-two fossils of megalyrid wasps from various collections of European amber were examined. A male neotype for Prodinapsis succinalis Brues and a female neotype for P. minor Brues are designated. The two species are redescribed and illustrated from Eocene and Oligocene amber, and males are tentatively distinguished by the length of their forewing. Three new species are described: P. pumilio Perrichot & Perkovsky n. sp., from a single female preserved in upper Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine); P. janzeni Perrichot n. sp., from three males in Eocene Baltic and Rovno amber; and P. oesiensis Perrichot n. sp., from a single male preserved in lower Eocene French amber. A key for the identification of the five species of Prodinapsis is provided. Megazar elegans Perrichot n. gen. and n. sp., and Megalava truncata Perrichot n. gen. and n. sp., are described from Albian French and Spanish amber, respectively, and are placed in a new tribe Megazarini Perrichot n. tribe, which is characterized by the mesothoracic spiracle not being surrounded by pronotal cuticle posteriorly, the inner margin of the metathoracic trochanter, femur, tibia, and first two tarsomeres having comblike spines or stiff setae, the forewing with M+Cu being tubular, the basal segment of Rs being very long, and a narrow medial cell [1M]. The following new fossil genera and species are also described and illustrated: Ukrainosa prolata Perrichot & Perkovsky n. gen. and n. sp., from Eocene Rovno amber; Rubes bruesi Perrichot n. gen. and n. sp. from Eocene Baltic amber; Megallica parva Perrichot n. gen. and n. sp., from upper Albian amber of France; and Valaa delclosi Perrichot n. gen. and n. sp., from lower Albian amber of Spain. A second specimen of Megalyra baltica Poinar & Shaw is illustrated from Baltic amber and discussed. A key for the identification of all known fossil and extant genera is provided. The new fossils extend significantly our knowledge of the evolutionary history of Megalyridae sensu stricto (i.e., excluding Cleistogastridae) that hitherto comprised eight modern and two extinct genera. They also emphasize the relictual distribution of the family that is now mainly restricted in tropical and austral regions, while it obviously occurred widely in ancient forests of the northern hemisphere during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic era.

Abstract: Lower Cenomanian paralic facies outcrop widely on Aix Island (Charente-Maritime, France). Abundant remains of fossil woods and amber have been mentioned there since the beginning of the 19th century, with a particular focus on wood when amber remained poorly studied. New investigations on the island since 8 years have lead to the discovery of an important amount of further fossil material, including some vertebrate remains and the first fossil amber inclusions. This paper gives a sedimentological, stratigraphical and palaeontological description of the local lower Cenomanian section, and fossil assemblages are discussed in a wider palaeoenvironmental context.

Abstract: Gaugainia electrogallica gen. and sp. nov., a new genus and species of belytine wasp (Diapriidae: Belytinae), is described from a female preserved in middle Cretaceous (Late Albian) amber from south-western France. The new fossil is the first Cretaceous and oldest known Belytinae, providing evidence for the antiquity of modern diapriid lineages. The Berriasian genus Coramia Rasnitsyn & Jarzembowksy 1998, is removed from Diapriidae and considered herein as a Proctotrupoidea incertae sedis stat. nov. The geological history of Diapriidae is briefly reviewed and a list of all known fossils of the family is given.

Abstract: The fossil record and geological history of wasps of the family Bethylidae is reviewed, and three new fossils are reported from Early Eocene amber of France. They all belong to the subfamily Epyrinae and are described as Rhabdepyris gallicus n. sp. - earliest known representative of this modern genus, Elektroepyris magnificus n. gen. and n. sp., and an undetermined Epyrini. The new fossils emphasize the high diversity of the subfamily Epyrinae during the Eocene.

Abstract: In habitats where nitrogen is the limiting factor, carnivorous fungi gain an advantage by preying on nematodes and other microorganisms. These fungi are abundant in modern terrestrial ecosystems, but they are not predestined for preservation as fossils. Conclusions on their evolutionary history are therefore mainly based on molecular studies that are generally limited to those taxa that have survived until today. Here we present a fossil dimorphic fungus that was found in Late Albian amber from southwestern France. This fungus possessed unicellular hyphal rings as trapping devices and formed blastospores from which a yeast stage developed. The fossil probably represents an anamorph of an ascomycete and is described as Palaeoanellus dimorphus gen. et sp. nov. Because predatory fungi with regular yeast stages are not known from modern ecosystems, the fungus is assumed to not be related to any Recent carnivorous fungus and to belong to an extinct lineage of carnivorous fungi. The inclusions represent the only record of fossil fungi that developed trapping devices, so far. The fungus lived c. 100 million years ago in a limnetic-terrestrial microhabitat, and it was a part of a highly diverse biocenosis at the forest fl oor of a Cretaceous coastal amber forest.

Abstract: The developmental stages of feathers are of major importance in the evolution of body covering and the origin of avian flight. Until now, there were significant gaps in knowledge of early morphologies in theoretical stages of feathers as well as in palaeontological material. Here we report fossil evidence of an intermediate and critical stage in the incremental evolution of feathers which has been predicted by developmental theories but hitherto undocumented by evidence from both the recent and the fossil records. Seven feathers have been found in an Early Cretaceous (Late Albian, ca 100 Myr) amber of western France, which display a flattened shaft composed by the still distinct and incompletely fused bases of the barbs forming two irregular vanes. Considering their remarkably primitive features, and since recent discoveries have yielded feathers of modern type in some derived theropod dinosaurs, the Albian feathers xD;from France might have been derived either from an early bird or from a non-avian dinosaur.

Abstract: Recent studies on the ant phylogeny are mainly based on the molecular analyses of extant subfamilies and do not include the extinct, only Cretaceous subfamily Sphecomyrminae. However, the latter is of major importance for ant relationships, as it is considered the most basal subfamily. Therefore, each new discovery of a Mesozoic ant is of high interest for improving our understanding of their early history and basal relationships. In this paper, a new sphecomyrmine ant, allied to the Burmese amber genus Haidomyrmex, is described from mid-Cretaceous amber of France as Haidomyrmodes mammuthus gen. and sp. n. The diagnosis of the tribe Haidomyrmecini is emended based on the new type material, which includes a gyne (alate female) and two incomplete workers. The genus Sphecomyrmodes, hitherto known by a single species from Burmese amber, is also reported and a new species described as S. occidentalis sp. n. after two workers remarkably preserved in a single piece of Early Cenomanian French amber. The new fossils provide additional information on early ant diversity and relationships and demonstrate that the monophyly of the Sphecomyrminae, as currently defined, is still weakly supported.

Abstract: Ants are one of the most studied insects in the world; and the literature devoted to their origin and evolution, systematics, ecology, or interactions with plants, fungi and other organisms is prolific. However, no consensus yet exists on the age estimate of the first Formicidae or on the origin of their eusociality. We review the fossil and biogeographical record of all known Cretaceous ants. We discuss the possible origin of the Formicidae with emphasis on the most primitive subfamily Sphecomyrminae according to its distribution and the Early Cretaceous palaeogeography. And we review the evidence of true castes and eusociality of the early ants regarding their morphological features and their manner of preservation in amber. The mid-Cretaceous amber forest from southwestern France where some of the oldest known ants lived, corresponded to a moist tropical forest close to the shore with a dominance of gymnosperm trees but where angiosperms (flowering plants) were already diversified. This palaeoenvironmental reconstruction supports an initial radiation of ants in forest ground litter coincident with the rise of angiosperms, as recently proposed as an ecological explanation for their origin and successful evolution.

Abstract: Amber usually contains inclusions of terrestrial and rarely limnetic organisms that were embedded in the places were they lived in the amber forests. Therefore, it has been supposed that amber could not have preserved marine organisms. Here, we report the discovery amber-preserved marine microfossils. Diverse marine diatoms as well as radiolarians, sponge spicules, a foraminifer, and a spine of a larval echinoderm were found in Late Albian and Early Cenomanian amber samples of southwestern France. The highly fossiliferous resin samples solidified ≈100 million years ago on the floor of coastal mixed forests dominated by conifers. The amber forests of southwestern France grew directly along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and were influenced by the nearby sea: shells and remnants of marine organisms were probably introduced by wind, spray, or high tide from the beach or the sea onto the resin flows.

Abstract: The new aeshnopteran family Enigmaeshnidae is proposed for Enigmaeshna deprei gen. et sp. nov., the first fossil insect collected as imprint in the Earliest Cenomanian clay of the Puy-Puy quarry at Tonnay-Charente (Charente-Maritime, SW France). The bed bearing E. deprei was previously known for its highly diversified fossil plant assemblage. Although this taxon belongs to the very derived clade Aeshnodea, it is characterized by several unique hind wing venation characters, never found in other Aeshnoptera, viz. part of MAb distal of the trigonal planate very long, and presence of five posterior branches of AA directed towards posterior wing margin.

Abstract: A significant portion of Mesozoic amber is fully opaque. Biological inclusions in such amber are invisible even after polishing, leading to potential bias in paleoecological and phylogenetic studies. Until now, studies using conventional X-ray microtomography focused on translucent or semi-opaque amber. In these cases, organisms of interest were visualized prior to X-ray analyses. It was recently demonstrated that propagation phase contrast X-ray synchrotron imaging techniques are powerful tools to access invisible inclusions in fully opaque amber. Here we describe an optimized synchrotron microradiographic protocol that allowed us to investigate efficiently and rapidly large amounts of opaque amber pieces from Charentes (southwestern France). Amber pieces were imaged with microradiography after immersion in water, which optimizes the visibility of inclusions. Determination is not accurate enough to allow precise phylogenetic studies, but provides preliminary data on biodiversity and ecotypes distribution; phase contrast microtomography remains necessary for precise determination. Because the organisms are generally much smaller than the amber pieces, we optimized local microtomography by using a continuous acquisition mode (sample moving during projection integration). As tomographic investigation of all inclusions is not practical, we suggest the use of a synchrotron for a microradiographic survey of opaque amber, coupled with microtomographic investigations of the most valuable organisms.

Abstract: A Cretaceous amber deposit has recently been discovered in a quarry of Charente-Maritime (southwestern France), at Cadeuil. This paper presents the sedimentary and palaeoenvironmental settings of the uppermost Albian-lowermost Cenomanian series including the amber deposit. A preliminary analysis of the amber samples reveals diverse fossil arthropods (a few mites and at least 20 insect families within 9 orders), as well as numerous micro-organisms, mainly algae and mycelia. A myceloid colony of bacteria, a flagellate algae and four especially well preserved insects are illustrated (Diptera Dolichopodidae, Diptera Chironomidae, Hymenoptera Parasitica, and Heteroptera Tingidae). The abundance of the limnic micro-organisms is discussed in terms of bloom events. Their relative scarcity in almost all the amber pieces containing fossil arthropods is attributed to differences in the origin of resin: production along trunk and branches for amber with arthropods; production by aquatic roots for amber rich in algae. The absence of pollen and spores in amber is attributed to differences in the respective periods of resin and palynomorph production, which may be related to a seasonal climate during the Albian-Cenomanian transition in Western Europe.

Abstract: Snakefly larvae (Raphidioptera) are newly documented from the Early Cretaceous ambers of Lebanon, Myanmar (Burma), and France. Previously only two Cretaceous larvae had been documented, one in Late Cretaceous (Turonian) amber from New Jersey and another in Early Cretaceous (Albian) amber from Myanmar. The specimens discussed herein are likely representative of the extinct family Mesoraphidiidae but definitive familial assignment is presently not possible. The new fossil material is described and placed into context with the known larval morphology of modern and fossil species, as well as with the geological history of the order as documented by the remains of adults.

Abstract: Sycorax neli sp. nov., is described from the Lower Cenomanian amber of Cadeuil, Charente-Maritime (SW France). This Sycoracinae is the oldest representative of this subfamily even though the emergence of this peculiar group is older. The discovery of this fossil fly improves our knowledge of the biodiversity and the historical evolution of psychodoid flies. A check list of species belonging to Sycorax is given.

Abstract: A new genus and species of limoniid fly is described from the Early Cretaceous (Late Albian) amber of France as Antodicranomyia azari gen. and sp. nov. The new species belongs to the tribe Limoniini within the subfamily Limoniinae, as evidenced by the characters of its wing venation.

Abstract: Bugs of two new genera and species are described as Buzinia couillardi and Tanaia burmitica. They are preserved in mid-Cretaceous amber from south-west France and northern Myanmar (Burma), respectively (c. 100 Ma). These are the first formally described fossils of the heteropteran family Schizopteridae. Both belong to the subfamily Hypselosomatinae and are very similar to the extant genus Hypselosoma Reuter, providing evidence for the antiquity and morphological stability of this small bug family and the infraorder Dipsocoromorpha. Given the putative ecology of the fossils, a discussion is provided on the French and Burmese amber forest ecosystems. The geological setting of La Buzinie, a new amber deposit in south-west France that yielded the two specimens of Buzinia couillardi, is outlined.

Abstract: Carnivorous fungi dating back to the age of the dinosaurs have been found fossilized in circa-100-million-year-old amber. The fossil fungi used hyphal rings as trapping devices and are preserved together with their prey, small nematodes. The excellent preservation in amber allowed comparison with extant groups: on the basis of the mode of ring formation and the dimorphic mode of life, the fossils cannot be assigned to any recent carnivorous fungus, providing evidence that different groups occupied this ecological niche in the Cretaceous and that trapping devices were developed independently multiple times in the course of Earth history.

Abstract: The Cretaceous amber deposits from France are reviewed, and their palaeontological content is discussed in the light of recent studies. Numerous "old" amber localities mentioned at the beginning of the 20th century or studied during the 1970s are no longer accessible, but recent field investigations have led to the discovery of new deposits. Among these, the Late Albian amber from Charente-Maritime (SW France) is particularly rich in biological inclusions and thus constitutes one of the major fossiliferous amber deposits for the Cretaceous period. Without having all groups studied, the authors made significant new records and identified taxa occuring in this French amber. This contributes to an improvement of our current knowledge on the evolution and diversity of Mesozoic insects.

Abstract: Two new genera and species of fossil lace bugs are reported from Albian and Cenomanian amber of France as Ambarcader eugenei and Ebboa areolata, these being the earliest fossil record of the family Tingidae and the type species of the new family Ebboidae, respectively. Ambarcader gen. nov. belongs to the tribe Phatnomatini within the subfamily Cantacaderinae. Ebboa gen. nov. differs from all the Recent and fossil taxa hitherto described in Tingoidea, suggesting an important past diversity and an earlier Mesozoic origin of this clade.

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Abstract: Four new genera and species of the neuropteran family Rhachiberothidae are described in amber, viz. Alboberotha petrulevicii from the Late Albian of France, Chimerhachiberotha acrasarii and Spinoberotha mickaelacrai from the Early Cretaceous of Lebanon, and Eorhachiberotha celinea from the Early Eocene of France. Paraberotha acra WHALLEY 1980 (Lebanese amber) is redescribed and discussed. Cretaceous rhachiberothid genera are grouped in a new monophyletic subfamily Paraberothinae, sister group of the Cenozoic Rhachiberothinae. Eorhachiberotha is considered as oldest fossil representative of the latter subfamily, suggesting that the diversification of the modern Rachiberothinae took place in the Early Cenozoic.

Abstract: The new genus and species Alboconis cretacica (oldest known Aleuropteryginae: Fontenelleini) and the coniopterygine new genus and species Gallosemidalis eocenica, are described, respectively from a late Albian and an early Eocene French amber. From Lebanese amber, the early Cretaceous Aleuropteryginae Libanoconis fadiacra (Whalley, 1980) is refigured and discussed.

Abstract: We recently proposed a new genus of thorny lacewing (Insecta: Neuroptera: Rhachiberothidae) from the Eocene amber of France. Unfortunately, the name we employed was proposed at the same time by the American palaeoentomologist M. S. Engel in another publication dealing with fossil rhachiberothids from the Burmese amber. As Eorhachiberotha ENGEL, 2004 was first published, we therefore propose the following replacement name for our Eocene fossil: xD;Oisea Nel, Perrichot, Azar & Néraudeau, new name for Eorhachiberotha Nel, Perrichot, Azar & Néraudeau, 2005: 77 (type species: E. celinea Nel, Perrichot, Azar & Néraudeau, 2005) nomen praeoccupatum (nec Eorhachiberotha Engel, 2004, fossilised in the Albian Burmese amber). xD;Etymology: the new genus name is derived from the Oise department where was fossilised the amber containing the specimen. xD;Included species: Oisea celinea new combination.

Abstract: The Tonnay-Charente area (Charente-Maritime, southwestern France) contains several sand and clay exploitations of Uppermost Albian and Lower Cenomanian ages. These sediments have been deposited in a coastal area where plant remains, amber, and aquatic or terrestrial vertebrates were trapped. The two last quarries that could be studied, Puy-Puy and Les Renardières, are true Lagerstätten, the first one for the abundance and the diversity of meso- and macroremains of plants (pollen, cuticles, lignite), especially angiosperms, the second one for the vertebrate microremains, consisting of about forty taxa, with selachians and actinopterygians, different reptiles (crocodilians, dinosaurs, ophidians, turtles) and one mammal. This paper describes the sedimentary and palaeoenvironmental settings of the Albian–Cenomanian series from Puy-Puy and Les Renardières and illustrates the most outstanding taxa of vertebrates and plants collected until today.

Abstract: Three specimens of gerromorphan bugs in Late Albian amber from south-west France are described. One is regarded as an incertae sedis within the Gerromorpha, the other two are assigned to Cretogerris albianus gen. et sp. nov., the oldest representative of the aquatic bug family Gerridae. The discovery confirms the great antiquity of the Gerridae, until now only inferred from an Early Cretaceous representative of the sister family Veliidae. The phylogenetic affinities of Cretogerris within the Gerridae are still rather uncertain, but this fossil taxon shows highly specialized body and leg structures that are very similar to those of the marine Halobatinae, suggesting that it was possibly a marine surface skater. The Gerridae and the Chresmodidae, another extinct group of Mesozoic surface skaters, were contemporaneous during at least the early Cenomanian. The discovery of these gerromorphan bugs in the Albian amber supports the hypothesis of a selective trap of a litter fauna, originating from a beach environment, for this resin.

Abstract: Two fragments of a reptile skin have been discovered in the Early Cretaceous (Late Albian) amber of Charente-Maritime (southwestern France). Their systematic attribution is discussed according to the contemporaneous skeleton remains of reptiles discovered in the same region and squamate skin fragments described from other Cretaceous ambers (Lebanon, Myanmar). The preservation of a reptile skin in amber from Charente-Maritime provides further elements for the taphonomic analysis of the amber deposit.

Abstract: A new deposit of Lower Cretaceous amber, found in Charente-Maritime (SW France) has yielded an important entomofauna with numerous arthropod associations characteristic of moist ground. We describe a new species of Dolichopodidae: ‘Microphorinae’(Diptera: Empidoidea), Microphorites deploegi n. sp. on the basis of seven male and female specimens of exceptional state of preservation. This genus was previously only known from Lebanese amber of the Lower Cretaceous. The present discovery supports a reconstruction of the palaeoenvironment as a sandy beach along the sea, under a warm climate.

Abstract: Fossil plants have been recently collected in six localities from the Upper Albian-Cenomanian of Charente-Maritime. The leaf remains, and more particularly the cuticle study, establish a higher diversity than previously suggested by palaeoxylological study. The assemblages show Pteridophytes (three forms), Coniferales (Frenelopsis alata, Glenrosa nov. sp., Geinitzia, other brachyphyll and pagiophyll forms, entire male cones and isolated female scales), Ginkgoales (Nehvizdya andegavense), Cycadales, very diverse leaves of Angiosperms (e.g., Myrtophyllum cf. angustum, cf. Pseudoasterophyllites cretaceus), and also some flowers and stamens containing in situ pollens similar to Clavatipollenites hughesii. These assemblages probably represent a mosaic of habitats distributed according to salinity and eolian perturbation gradients.

Abstract: The Albian amber of Archingeay (Charente-Maritime, SW France) shows a unique ecological feature among worldwide Cretaceous ambers: a large part of the arthropods trapped in this resin are representatives of the litter biota (i.e. the fauna living on the ground surface). This selective trap sampled the in situ fauna, important for the knowledge of the Early Cretaceous forest ecosystem. This exceptional fossilization could be explained by an important fluidity of the resin, which allowed flows from the branches or the trunk to directly contact the soil, instantaneously entrapping organisms crawling on the soil surface as well as the associated plant remains. The plant source of the resin was probably a member of the Araucariaceae, as suggested by SEM analysis of both plant remains trapped in the resin and the abundant lignite associated with the amber in the same strata. This litter-bearing amber exhibits a high diversity of taxa, encompassing 14 of 21 arthropod groups included in this resin: Isopoda, Myriapoda, Acari, Araneae, Pseudoscorpionida, Collembola, Blattodea, Psocoptera, Coleoptera, Homoptera, Heteroptera, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, and Diptera. In addition to a unique insight into the diversity of a Cretaceous subtropical forest floor, this litter fauna provides valuable paleoclimatic data for the west European Albian coast, suggesting xeric conditions with a probable dry season within the globally warm and wet period of the mid-Cretaceous.

Abstract: Gerontoformica cretacica n. gen., n. sp., until now the oldest known ant, is described after a putative worker specimen, from the Uppermost Albian amber of France. Although its characters are those of modern ants, it does not fit in any recent ant subfamilies.

Abstract: Guyotemaimetsha enigmatica, a new genus and species of evaniomorphan wasp, is described from the French Albian amber. Its phylogenetic affinities are discussed. It has strong similarities with the genera Maimetsha and Cretogonalys, which are attributed to the Maimetshidae and Trigonalidae, respectively. The exact relationships of these Cretaceous taxa remain enigmatic.

Abstract: Paleoripiphorus deploegi gen. n., sp. n. and Macrosiagon ebboi sp. n., described from two French Albo-Cenomanian ambers (mid Cretaceous), are the oldest definitely identified representatives of the Ripiphoridae: Ripiphorinae. They belong to or are closely related to extant genera of this coleopteran subfamily. Together with Myodites burmiticus Cockerell, 1917 from the Albian Burmese amber, they demonstrate that the group is distinctly older than suggested by the hitherto available fossil record. By inference after the biology of the extant Ripiphorinae, Macrosiagon ebboi may have been parasitic on wasps and Paleoripiphorus deploegi on bees, suggesting that Apoidea may have been present in the Lower Cretaceous

Abstract: Two new psychodid flies, Eophlebotomus gezei sp. nov. and E. carentonensis sp. nov., are described from Lebanese and French Lower Cretaceous ambers. They are considered here to form part of the same genus as the Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber, Eophlebotomus connectens Cockerell, 1920. These discoveries allow the description of the antenna and male genitalia of this enigmatic genus. Although the new species of Eophlebotomus share numerous characters with the Phlebotominae, especially the male genital structures, we retain this genus in the stem-group of the Sycoracinae and Trichomyiinae.

Abstract: Lower Santonian sandy to coaly-clayey beds, collected near the village of Piolenc (Vaucluse) contain amber bearing insects and extremely well-preserved leaf cuticle compressions of Corystospermales, Cycadales, Bennettitales, Gymnosperms and mostly Angiosperms. The sedimentological and taphonomic studies indicate that the clays bearing the fossil cuticles were deposited along the Alpine Sea shore into supratidal ponds or marshes around which the plants studied herein grew. Moreover, the ‘nearest living relative’ and ‘foliar physiognomy’ methods, and the sedimentological and palaeontological studies agree with the occurrence of a warm and humid, tropical climate, including a dry season.

Abstract: Albiogonalys elongatus gen. n., sp. n., oldest known representative of the family Trigonalidae, is described from the Late Albian amber of France. It could be placed in a very basal position, as the sister group of the modern representatives of the family. The positions of the fossil taxa currently attributed to this family are discussed. Except for Cretogonalys taimyricus Rasnitsyn 1977, almost all of these taxa are too poorly preserved or described for accurate attributions to this family.

Abstract: Early Cenomanian estuarine deposits with fossil wood, amber with included insects and a bone bed have been discovered on the tidal flat of the Fouras Peninsula (Charente-Maritime, southwestern France), consequently to a tempest that had removed the sand and mud coverings of the shore. The assemblage of fossil wood contains three taxa of conifers (Agathoxylon, Podocarpoxylon, Brachyoxylon) and a Ginkgoxylon. The insects from the amber correspond to Diptera, Hymenoptera and Homoptera. The bone bed contains mainly carapaces of terrestrial turtles (Solemydidae), vertebrae of snakes (Simoliophis), and bones of dinosaurs with maybe the latest record of the genus Iguanodon.

Abstract: Proprionoglaris guyoti gen. nov., sp. nov., Parapsyllipsocus vergereaui gen. nov., sp. nov., and Prospeleketor albianensis gen. nov., sp. nov. are described from the Early Cretaceous amber of Archingeay (SW France). Libanoglaris mouawadi gen. nov., sp. nov. is described from the Early Cretaceous amber of Lebanon. They are all placed into the suborder Trogiomorpha, xD;incertae familiae. The discovery of these new taxa together with a first phylogenetic analysis of the trogiomorphan families demonstrate the necessity of a cladistic redefinition of the currently admitted major subdivisions of this suborder.

Abstract: A new deposit of Lower Cretaceous amber, found in Charente-Maritime, SW France, has yielded an important entomofauna with numerous characteristic moist ground arthropods. We describe a new genus and species of mole cricket, Marchandia magnifica gen. et sp. nov., in an exceptional state of preservation.

Abstract: A layer of clay interbedded in sandstone, which age is likely uppermost Albian, yielded a new deposit with amber and fossil plants in Charente-Maritime (south-west France). A survey of the arthropods found in amber, the xylologic and palynologic determinations and the sedimentologic study are in progress. We already have datas to propose a palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of the coast of the northern Aquitain basin at the end of lower Cretaceous : an estuarine area under warm and wet climate.

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Abstract: New fossil deposits with amber and plants were discovered in Albian and Cenomanian strata from Charente-Maritime, SW France. One of these, dated as Albian, constitutes one of the most important deposits of Cretaceous amber, regarding its richness and diversity of inclusions. Insects and arthropods are abundant, but few plant and vertebrate remains (one feather and a fragment of reptilian skin) are also found. In addition to the common associations of arthropods trapped in the resin along the trunk or branches, this amber has exceptionally preserved numerous litter-dwelling arthropods. The botanical origin of the amber is discussed after a comparison between taphonomical, xylological and chemical analysis. A detailed systematic study is given for some insects which are particularly significant for the knowledge of the evolutionary history of their group, or informative from a paleoenvironmental or paleobiogeographic point of view. Numerous plant remains are associated in amber-bearing strata, which provide additional paleoecological and paleoenvironmental data. Regional reconstruction of the coastal terrestrial ecosystems is proposed from a sedimentological analysis of amber-bearing strata, together with paleoecological data from fossil assemblages. These fossil deposits contribute to the knowledge of the Cretaceous paleobiota, which constituted the first steps of our recent ecosystems.

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