Researchers from the University of Granada (UGR) have discovered a previously undescribed species of insect called Calliarcys antiquus. It was a result of joint international research.
They come from the species of mayflies. Arnold Staniczek of Stuttgart’s State Museum of Natural History discovered the species, which was embedded in a chunk of Baltic amber estimated to be between 35 and 47 million years old.
Professor Javier Alba-Tercedor of the UGR’s Department of Zoology used microtomography to produce vivid photographs of the insect.
The findings were published in Scientific Reports on September 8.
“The conservation of the specimens trapped inside the amber is often excellent, and the transparency of the material that surrounds them enables them to be studied, under a microscope, in great detail,” explains Professor Alba-Tercedor in the statement, referring to the newly found insect’s discovery.
“But, in other cases, the level of transparency is not good because the areas of opacity that form preventing certain details from being examined,” comments Alba-Tercedor.
The species was studied by comparing it to extant species of the genus with the help of Roman Godunko of the Institute of Entomology of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The University of ?ód? in Poland was also consulted to determine details about its evolution.
“In short, it all started with the discovery of a beautiful insect preserved in amber, which attracted the attention of the expert eyes of a scientist. And this ultimately required the enthusiastic collaboration and detective work of five scientists based in research centers located in four countries, who, after applying the latest techniques, were finally able to name and describe an insect that has remained locked inside a drop of amber for millions of years,” says Professor Alba-Tercedor.