99-million-year-old termite-loving thieves caught in Burmese amber

[Owlscrying]

Eusocial insects, such as ants, social wasps and bees, and termites, include some of the most ecologically ubiquitous of terrestrial animals. The nests of these insects are well protected and provide a safe, communal space for the storing of resources and production of brood, so the nests are often cohabited by various highly specialized symbionts that take advantage of the abundant resources and protection inside the nests.

Recently, a research team led by Dr. CAI Chenyang and Prof. HUANG Diying from Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology (NIGPAS) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences reported the oldest horseshoe-crab-shaped, obligate termite-loving rove beetles from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. These fossils represent the oldest known termitophiles, which are able to hack into a termite nest and exploit their controlled physical conditions to steal plentiful resources (e.g., fungi) inside it. The discovery reveals that ancient termite societies were quickly invaded by beetles about 99 million year ago.

Source

 

[Owlscrying]

Credit: Cai et al., 2017

The oldest termitophile from 99-million-year-old Burmese amber, Cretotrichopsenius burmiticus.


Source / Image Courtesy

 

[Owlscrying]

Here are 10 extraordinary fossils that have been found preserved in amber.

Amber certainly makes beautiful jewelry, but its clarity and longevity have also proven it to be a great preservation medium.

Here are 10 extraordinary fossils that have been found in the solidified resin.

 

[Samanthaj]

Wow Owl, that's pretty amazing. Enjoyed reading this


Thank you <3

[senifee]

The Termite Specialists give termite benefits all through the Sydney, NSW locale. Our office is in Frenchs Forest, however our degree and administrations incorporate Sydney, Artarmon, Balmoral, Brookvale, Chatswood, Forestville, Gordon, Hornsby, Lane Cove, North Shoreline, Northern Beaches, St. Ives, Turramurra, Wahroonga and encompassing rural areas.

[LucasMay]

Hah, but termites as bugs are not friendlier lol.