The 'Star dust' wasp is a new extinct species named after ...
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The 'Star dust' wasp is a new extinct species named after David Bowie's alter ego 22 June 2017 The new Star dust wasp Archaeoteleia astropulvis preserved in Burmese amber. Credit: Dr. Elijah J. Talamas During her study on fossil insects of the order Hymenoptera at China's Capitol Normal University, student Longfeng Li visited the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, carrying two unidentified wasp specimens that were exceptionally well-preserved in Burmese amber. This type of fossilized tree resin is known for the quality of the fossil specimens which can be preserved inside it. Being 100 million years old, they provide an incredible view into the past. The subsequent analysis of the specimens revealed that both represent species new to science. Furthermore, one of the wasps showed such amazing similarities to a modern group of wasps that it was placed in a currently existing genus , Archaeoteleia which has long been considered as an ancient lineage. The species are described in a study published in the open access Journal of Hymenoptera Research. However, Archaeoteleia has changed since the times when the ancient wasp got stuck on fresh tree resin. The authors note that "a novice might not recognize the characters that unite the fossil with extant species". For instance, the modern wasp species of the genus show visibly longer antennal segments and a different number of teeth on the mandible when compared to the fossil. In turn, the description of the new extinct species enhances the knowledge about living species by highlighting anatomical structures shared by all species within the genus. This fossil wasp with living relatives received quite a curious name, Archaeoteleia astropulvis. The species name, astropulvis, translates from Latin to 'star dust'. The discoverers chose the name to refer to both "the ancient source of the atoms that form our planet and its inhabitants", as well as to commemorate the late David Bowie's alter ego - Ziggy Stardust. The second new extinct wasp species Proteroscelio nexus preserved in amber. Credit: Dr. Elijah J. Talamas Unlike the Star dust wasp, the second new species 1 / 2
Transcript of The 'Star dust' wasp is a new extinct species named after ...
The 'Star dust' wasp is a new extinctspecies named after David Bowie's alter ego22 June 2017
The new Star dust wasp Archaeoteleia astropulvispreserved in Burmese amber. Credit: Dr. Elijah J.Talamas
During her study on fossil insects of the orderHymenoptera at China's Capitol Normal University,student Longfeng Li visited the SmithsonianNational Museum of Natural History, Washington,carrying two unidentified wasp specimens thatwere exceptionally well-preserved in Burmeseamber. This type of fossilized tree resin is knownfor the quality of the fossil specimens which can bepreserved inside it. Being 100 million years old,they provide an incredible view into the past.
The subsequent analysis of the specimensrevealed that both represent species new toscience. Furthermore, one of the wasps showedsuch amazing similarities to a modern group of wasps that it was placed in a currently existing genus, Archaeoteleia which has long beenconsidered as an ancient lineage. The species aredescribed in a study published in the open access Journal of Hymenoptera Research.
However, Archaeoteleia has changed since thetimes when the ancient wasp got stuck on freshtree resin. The authors note that "a novice mightnot recognize the characters that unite the fossilwith extant species". For instance, the modernwasp species of the genus show visibly longerantennal segments and a different number of teethon the mandible when compared to the fossil. Inturn, the description of the new extinct speciesenhances the knowledge about living species byhighlighting anatomical structures shared by allspecies within the genus.
This fossil wasp with living relatives received quitea curious name, Archaeoteleia astropulvis. Thespecies name, astropulvis, translates from Latin to'star dust'. The discoverers chose the name to referto both "the ancient source of the atoms that formour planet and its inhabitants", as well as tocommemorate the late David Bowie's alter ego -Ziggy Stardust.
The second new extinct wasp species Proteroscelionexus preserved in amber. Credit: Dr. Elijah J. Talamas
Unlike the Star dust wasp, the second new species
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belongs to a genus (Proteroscelio) knownexclusively from Cretaceous fossils. Likewise, it is atiny insect, measuring less than 2mm in length. Italso plays an important role in taxonomy byexpanding the anatomical diversity known from thisextinct genus.
The authors conclude that their discovery,especially the Star dust wasp and its placement inan extant genus, where it is the only fossil species,"exemplifies the importance of understanding theextant fauna of a taxon to interpret fossils".
"Such union of fossil and extant morphologies isespecially illuminating and requires examination ofboth kinds of specimens," they add.
This is the modern wasp species (top) of the genusArchaeoteleia compared to its new ancient relative Archaeoteleia astropulvis (bottom). Credit: Dr. Elijah J.Talamas
Provided by Pensoft PublishersAPA citation: The 'Star dust' wasp is a new extinct species named after David Bowie's alter ego (2017,June 22) retrieved 4 November 2021 from https://phys.org/news/2017-06-star-wasp-extinct-species-david.html
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