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Haug C, Haug JT, Haug GT, Müller P, Zippel A, Kiesmüller C, Gauweiler J, Hörnig MK. Fossils in Myanmar amber demonstrate the diversity of anti-predator strategies of Cretaceous holometabolan insect larvae. iScience 2024; 27:108621. [PMID: 38213619 PMCID: PMC10783632 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Holometabolan larvae are a major part of the animal biomass and an important food source for many animals. Many larvae evolved anti-predator strategies and some of these can even be recognized in fossils. A Lagerstätte known for well-preserved holometabolan larvae is the approximately 100-million-year-old Kachin amber from Myanmar. Fossils can not only allow to identify structural defensive specializations, but also lifestyle and even behavioral aspects. We review here the different defensive strategies employed by various holometabolan larvae found in Kachin amber, also reporting new cases of a leaf-mining hymenopteran caterpillar and a hangingfly caterpillar with extensive spines. This overview demonstrates that already 100 million years ago many modern strategies had already evolved in multiple lineages, but also reveals some cases of now extinct strategies. The repetitive independent evolution of similar strategies in distantly related lineages indicates that several strategies evolved convergently as a result of similar selective pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Haug
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Biocenter, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- GeoBio-Center at LMU, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, 80333 München, Germany
| | - Joachim T. Haug
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Biocenter, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- GeoBio-Center at LMU, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, 80333 München, Germany
| | - Gideon T. Haug
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Biocenter, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | | | - Ana Zippel
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Biocenter, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Christine Kiesmüller
- University of Greifswald, Zoological Institute and Museum, Cytology and Evolutionary Biology, Soldmannstr. 23, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Joshua Gauweiler
- University of Greifswald, Zoological Institute and Museum, Cytology and Evolutionary Biology, Soldmannstr. 23, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marie K. Hörnig
- University of Greifswald, Zoological Institute and Museum, Cytology and Evolutionary Biology, Soldmannstr. 23, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
- University Medical Center Rostock, Medical Biology and Electron Microscopy Center, Strempelstr. 14, 18057 Rostock, Germany
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Mengel L, Linhart S, Haug GT, Weiterschan T, Müller P, Hoffeins C, Hoffeins HW, Baranov V, Haug C, Haug JT. The Morphological Diversity of Dragon Lacewing Larvae (Nevrorthidae, Neuroptera) Changed More over Geological Time Scales Than Anticipated. INSECTS 2023; 14:749. [PMID: 37754717 PMCID: PMC10649721 DOI: 10.3390/insects14090749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Nevrorthidae, the group of dragon lacewings, has often been considered a relic group. Today, dragon lacewings show a scattered distribution, with some species occurring in southern Europe, Japan, Australia, and one in China. The idea that this distribution is only a remnant of an originally larger distribution is further supported by fossils of the group preserved in ambers from the Baltic region (Eocene, ca. 35-40 MaBP) and Myanmar (Kachin amber, Cretaceous, ca. 100 MaBP). Larvae of the group are slender and elongated and live mostly in water. Yet, larvae are in fact very rare. So far, only slightly more than 30 larval specimens, counting all extant and fossil larvae, have been depicted in the literature. Here, we report numerous additional specimens, including extant larvae, but also fossil ones from Baltic and Kachin amber. Together with the already known ones, this sums up to over 100 specimens. We analysed quantitative aspects of the morphology of these larvae and compared them over time to identify changes in the diversity. Despite the enriched sample size, the data set is still unbalanced, with, for example, newly hatched larvae (several dozen specimens) only known from the Eocene. We expected little change in larval morphology over geological time, as indicated by earlier studies. However, on the contrary, we recognised morphologies present in fossils that are now extinct. This result is similar to those for other groups of lacewings which have a relic distribution today, as these have also suffered a loss in diversity in larval forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mengel
- Faculty of Biology, Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; (L.M.); (S.L.); (G.T.H.); (J.T.H.)
| | - Simon Linhart
- Faculty of Biology, Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; (L.M.); (S.L.); (G.T.H.); (J.T.H.)
| | - Gideon T. Haug
- Faculty of Biology, Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; (L.M.); (S.L.); (G.T.H.); (J.T.H.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Viktor Baranov
- Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC, 41092 Sevilla, Spain;
| | - Carolin Haug
- Faculty of Biology, Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; (L.M.); (S.L.); (G.T.H.); (J.T.H.)
- GeoBio-Center at LMU, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, 80333 München, Germany
| | - Joachim T. Haug
- Faculty of Biology, Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; (L.M.); (S.L.); (G.T.H.); (J.T.H.)
- GeoBio-Center at LMU, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, 80333 München, Germany
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Haug JT, Tun KL, Haug GT, Than KN, Haug C, Hörnig MK. A hatching aphidlion-like lacewing larva in 100 million years old Kachin amber. INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 30:880-886. [PMID: 36527289 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We report a fossil aphidlion-like larva preserved with its egg case in 100 million year old Kachin amber, Myanmar. It appears to have been enclosed very shortly after hatching, especially when comparing it with extant aphidlions during hatching. Although hatching aphidlion-like larvae are known from amber from other localities, this is the first case from Myanmar amber, despite the comparably high number of lacewing larvae known from the latter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim T Haug
- Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- GeoBio-Center at LMU, München, Germany
| | - Kay Lwin Tun
- Department of Zoology, University of Yangon, University Avenue Road, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Gideon T Haug
- Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Kyaw Naing Than
- Department of Zoology, University of Yangon, University Avenue Road, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Carolin Haug
- Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- GeoBio-Center at LMU, München, Germany
| | - Marie K Hörnig
- Zoological Institute and Museum, Cytology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Hassenbach C, Buchner L, Haug GT, Haug C, Haug JT. An Expanded View on the Morphological Diversity of Long-Nosed Antlion Larvae Further Supports a Decline of Silky Lacewings in the Past 100 Million Years. INSECTS 2023; 14:170. [PMID: 36835743 PMCID: PMC9966087 DOI: 10.3390/insects14020170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Lacewings have been suggested to be a relict group. This means that the group of lacewings, Neuroptera, should have been more diverse in the past, which also applies to many ingroups of Neuroptera. Psychopsidae, the group of silky lacewings, is one of the ingroups of Neuroptera which is relatively species-poor in the modern fauna. Larvae of the group Psychopsidae, long-nosed antlions, can be easily identified as such in being larvae of antlion-like lacewings without teeth in their stylets (=compound structure of mandible and maxilla), with empodia (=attachment structures on legs) and with a prominent forward-protruding labrum. Therefore, such larvae can also be recognised in the fossil record. An earlier study demonstrated a decline in the morphological diversity of long-nosed antlion larvae over the past 100 million years. Here, we report several dozen new long-nosed antlion larvae and expand the earlier quantitative study. Our results further corroborate the decline of silky lacewings. Yet, a lack of an indication of saturation indicates that we have still not approached the original diversity of long-nosed antlions in the Cretaceous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Hassenbach
- Faculty of Biology, Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Laura Buchner
- Faculty of Biology, Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Gideon T. Haug
- Faculty of Biology, Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Carolin Haug
- Faculty of Biology, Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- GeoBio-Center at LMU, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, 80333 Munich, Germany
| | - Joachim T. Haug
- Faculty of Biology, Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- GeoBio-Center at LMU, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, 80333 Munich, Germany
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The Morphological Diversity of Antlion Larvae and Their Closest Relatives over 100 Million Years. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13070587. [PMID: 35886763 PMCID: PMC9316203 DOI: 10.3390/insects13070587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The larvae of owlflies and antlions (here shortly embraced by the term “owllions”) are ambush predators. Their mouthparts are transformed into teeth-bearing stylets and used for catching prey and sucking, which is characteristic for neuropteran larvae. Here we used the morphology of the stylets and the head capsules of a large number of extant and fossil larvae as a proxy for the morphological diversity over time. The created dataset comprises outlines of stylets and head capsules of specimens from the literature, collections, databases and the herein described and depicted 38 fossil ones. Fossils in the whole dataset come from deposits with an age of about 20, 40, and 100 million years (Miocene, Eocene, and Cretaceous, respectively). In addition to the shape analysis of the outlines from the dataset, we conducted a statistical analysis as well. Eocene and Miocene samples did not result in a clear output, but Cretaceous samples allowed for some conclusions: The morphological diversity of owllion larvae increased over time, even though some morphologies of Cretaceous larvae went extinct. Abstract Among lacewings (Neuroptera), representatives of the groups Ascalaphidae (owlflies) and Myrmeleontidae (antlions) are likely the most widely known ones. The exact taxonomic status of the two groups remains currently unclear, each may in fact be nested in the other group. Herein, we refer to the group including representatives of both with the neutral term “owllion”. Owllion larvae are voracious ambush hunters. They are not only known in the extant fauna, but also from the fossil record. We report here new findings of a fossil owlfly larva from Eocene Baltic amber, as well as several owlfly-like larvae from Cretaceous Kachin amber, Myanmar. Based on these fossils, combined with numerous fossil and extant specimens from the literature, collections, and databases, we compared the morphological diversity of the head and mouthpart shapes of the larvae of owllions in the extant fauna with that of owllion-like larvae from three time slices: about 100 million years ago (Cretaceous), about 40 million years ago (Eocene), and about 20 million years ago (Miocene). The comparison reveals that the samples from the Eocene and Miocene are too small for a reliable evaluation. Yet, the Cretaceous larvae allow for some conclusions: (1) the larval morphological diversity of owllion larvae increased over time, indicating a post-Cretaceous diversification; (2) certain morphologies disappeared after the Cretaceous, most likely representing ecological roles that are no longer present nowadays. In comparison, other closely related lineages, e.g., silky lacewings or split-footed lacewings, underwent more drastic losses after the Cretaceous and no subsequent diversifications.
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Ecological radiations of insects in the Mesozoic. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:529-540. [PMID: 35287981 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The Mesozoic is a key era for the rise of the modern insect fauna. Among the most important evolutionary events in Mesozoic insects are the radiation of holometabolous insects, the origin of eusocial and parasitoid insects, diversification of pollinating insects, and development of advanced mimicry and camouflage. These events are closely associated with the diversification of insect ecological behaviors and colonization of new ecospaces. At the same time, insects had evolved more complex and closer ecological associations with various plants and animals. Mesozoic insects played a key and underappreciated ecological role in reconstructing and maintaining terrestrial ecosystems. A greater understanding of the history of insects may help to mitigate future changes in insect diversity and abundance.
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The Diversity of Aphidlion-like Larvae over the Last 130 Million Years. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13040336. [PMID: 35447779 PMCID: PMC9030806 DOI: 10.3390/insects13040336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary The larvae of green lacewings and brown lacewings are called ‘aphidlions’, as they consume aphids. They play also an economic role as biological pest control. Aphidlions have, mostly, elongated spindle-shaped bodies, and similarly to most lacewing larvae, they possess a pair of venom-injecting compound jaws, also called stylets. Fossils that have been interpreted as aphidlions are known from amber of different ages (about 130, 100, 35, and 15 million years old). In this study, new aphidlion-like larvae are reported from about 100 million-year-old amber from Myanmar and about 35 million-year-old Baltic amber. The shapes of head and stylets were compared between the different time slices. With the newly described fossils and specimens from the literature, a total of 361 specimens could be included in the analysis: 78 fossil larvae, 188 extant larvae of brown lacewings, and 95 extant larvae of green lacewings. The results indicate that the diversity of head shapes stays about the same over time besides a certain increase in diversity of the head shapes in brown lacewing larvae. In certain other lacewings, a distinct decrease in the diversity of head shapes was observed in the larvae. Abstract Aphidlions are larvae of certain lacewings (Neuroptera), and more precisely larvae of the groups Chrysopidae, green lacewings, and Hemerobiidae, brown lacewings. The name ‘aphidlion’ originates from their ecological function as specialised predators of aphids. Accordingly, they also play an economic role as biological pest control. Aphidlions have, mostly, elongated spindle-shaped bodies, and similarly to most lacewing larvae they are equipped with a pair of venom-injecting stylets. Fossils interpreted as aphidlions are known to be preserved in amber from the Cretaceous (130 and 100 million years ago), the Eocene (about 35 million years ago) and the Miocene (about 15 million years ago) ages. In this study, new aphidlion-like larvae are reported from Cretaceous amber from Myanmar (about 100 million years old) and Eocene Baltic amber. The shapes of head and stylets were compared between the different time slices. With the newly described fossils and specimens from the literature, a total of 361 specimens could be included in the analysis: 70 specimens from the Cretaceous, 5 from the Eocene, 3 from the Miocene, 188 extant larvae of Chrysopidae, and 95 extant larvae of Hemerobiidae. The results indicate that the diversity of head shapes remains largely unchanged over time, yet there is a certain increase in the diversity of head shapes in the larvae of Hemerobiidae. In certain other groups of Neuroptera, a distinct decrease in the diversity of head shapes in larval stages was observed.
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8
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New extreme morphologies as exemplified by 100 million-year-old lacewing larvae. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20432. [PMID: 34650142 PMCID: PMC8517013 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99480-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Larvae of the group Holometabola (beetles, wasps, flies, moths and others) differ significantly in their morphology from their corresponding adults. In most larvae, appendages and other structures protruding from the body (antennae, palps, legs, trunk processes) appear less elongate than in their corresponding adults, providing the impression that these larvae are restricted to a certain degree in developing more elongate structures. We provide here numerous counterexamples of larvae of lacewings (Neuroptera). These include different forms of elongated antennae, mandibles, maxillae, labial palps, legs, trunk processes and neck regions. Most of these examples are larvae preserved in different types of 100 million-year-old amber. The longest neck region was found in an extant specimen. All these examples demonstrate that certain branches of Neuroptera indeed had larval forms that possessed strongly elongated structures. Hence there is no principal constraint that hinders holometabolan larvae to develop such structures.
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Haug JT, Haug GT, Zippel A, van der Wal S, Müller P, Gröhn C, Wunderlich J, Hoffeins C, Hoffeins HW, Haug C. Changes in the Morphological Diversity of Larvae of Lance Lacewings, Mantis Lacewings and Their Closer Relatives over 100 Million Years. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12100860. [PMID: 34680629 PMCID: PMC8537262 DOI: 10.3390/insects12100860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Neuroptera, the group of lacewings, comprises only about 6000 species in the modern fauna, but is generally assumed to have been more diverse and important in the past. A major factor of the modern-day ecological diversity of the group, and supposedly in the past as well, is represented by the highly specialised larval forms of lacewings. Quantitative analyses of the morphology of larvae revealed a loss of morphological diversity in several lineages. Here we explored the diversity of the larvae of mantis lacewings (Mantispidae), lance lacewings (Osmylidae), beaded lacewings (Berothidae and Rhachiberothidae, the latter potentially an ingroup of Berothidae), and pleasing lacewings (Dilaridae), as well as fossil larvae, preserved in amber, resembling these. We used shape analysis of the head capsule and stylets (pair of conjoined jaws) as a basis due to the high availability of this body region in extant and fossil specimens and the ecological importance of this region. The analysis revealed a rather constant morphological diversity in Berothidae. Mantispidae appears to have lost certain forms of larvae, but has seen a drastic increase of larval diversity after the Cretaceous; this is in contrast to a significant decrease in diversity in adult forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim T. Haug
- Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; (J.T.H.); (G.T.H.); (A.Z.); (S.v.d.W.)
- GeoBio-Center at LMU, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, 80333 München, Germany
| | - Gideon T. Haug
- Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; (J.T.H.); (G.T.H.); (A.Z.); (S.v.d.W.)
| | - Ana Zippel
- Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; (J.T.H.); (G.T.H.); (A.Z.); (S.v.d.W.)
| | - Serita van der Wal
- Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; (J.T.H.); (G.T.H.); (A.Z.); (S.v.d.W.)
| | - Patrick Müller
- Independent Researcher, Kreuzbergstr. 90, 66482 Zweibrücken, Germany;
| | - Carsten Gröhn
- Independent Researcher, Bünebüttler Weg 7, 21509 Glinde, Germany;
| | - Jörg Wunderlich
- Independent Researcher, Oberer Haeuselbergweg 24, 69493 Hirschberg, Germany;
| | - Christel Hoffeins
- Independent Researcher, Liseistieg 10, 22149 Hamburg, Germany; (C.H.); (H.-W.H.)
| | - Hans-Werner Hoffeins
- Independent Researcher, Liseistieg 10, 22149 Hamburg, Germany; (C.H.); (H.-W.H.)
| | - Carolin Haug
- Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; (J.T.H.); (G.T.H.); (A.Z.); (S.v.d.W.)
- GeoBio-Center at LMU, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, 80333 München, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Haug JT, Schädel M, Baranov VA, Haug C. An unusual 100-million-year old holometabolan larva with a piercing mouth cone. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8661. [PMID: 32280565 PMCID: PMC7134054 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Holometabola is a hyperdiverse group characterised by a strong morphological differentiation between early post-embryonic stages (= larvae) and adults. Adult forms of Holometabola, such as wasps, bees, beetles, butterflies, mosquitoes or flies, are strongly differentiated concerning their mouth parts. The larvae most often seem to retain rather plesiomorphic-appearing cutting-grinding mouth parts. Here we report a new unusual larva preserved in Burmese amber. Its mouth parts appear beak-like, forming a distinct piercing mouth cone. Such a morphology is extremely rare among larval forms, restricted to those of some beetles and lacewings. The mouth parts of the new fossil are forward oriented (prognathous). Additionally, the larva has distinct subdivisions of tergites and sternites into several sclerites. Also, the abdomen segments bear prominent protrusions. We discuss this unusual combination of characters in comparison to the many different types of holometabolan larvae. The here reported larva is a new addition to the 'unusual zoo' of the Cretaceous fauna including numerous, very unusual appearing forms that have gone extinct at the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim T. Haug
- Department of Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- GeoBio-Center at LMU, München, Germany
| | - Mario Schädel
- Department of Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Viktor A. Baranov
- Department of Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Carolin Haug
- Department of Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- GeoBio-Center at LMU, München, Germany
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Pérez-de la Fuente R, Peñalver E, Azar D, Engel MS. A soil-carrying lacewing larva in Early Cretaceous Lebanese amber. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16663. [PMID: 30413797 PMCID: PMC6226488 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34870-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse organisms protect and camouflage themselves using varied materials from their environment. This adaptation and associated behaviours (debris-carrying) are well known in modern green lacewing larvae (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), mostly due to the widespread use of these immature insects in pest control. However, the evolutionary history of this successful strategy and related morphological adaptations in the lineage are still far from being understood. Here we describe a novel green lacewing larva, Tyruschrysa melqart gen. et sp. nov., from Early Cretaceous Lebanese amber, carrying a preserved debris packet composed by soil particles entangled among specialised setae of extremely elongate tubular tubercles. The new morphotype has features related to the debris-carrying habit that are unknown from extant or extinct green lacewings, namely a high number of tubular tubercle pairs on the abdomen and tubular tubercle setae with mushroom-shaped endings that acted as anchoring points for debris. The current finding expands the diversity of exogenous materials used by green lacewing larvae in deep time, and represents the earliest direct evidence of debris-carrying in the lineage described to date. The debris-carrying larval habit likely played a significant role during the initial phases of diversification of green lacewings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Enrique Peñalver
- Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (Museo Geominero), C/Cirilo Amorós 42, 46004, Valencia, Spain
| | - Dany Azar
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, People's Republic of China.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences II, Lebanese University, Fanar Matn, P.O. Box 26110217, Lebanon
| | - Michael S Engel
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, 10024, USA.,Division of Entomology, Natural History Museum, and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, 1501 Crestline Drive - Suite 140, Lawrence, Kansas, 66045, USA
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Badano D, Engel MS, Basso A, Wang B, Cerretti P. Diverse Cretaceous larvae reveal the evolutionary and behavioural history of antlions and lacewings. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3257. [PMID: 30135436 PMCID: PMC6105666 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05484-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Myrmeleontiformia are an ancient group of lacewing insects characterized by predatory larvae with unusual morphologies and behaviours. Mostly soil dwellers with a soft cuticle, their larvae fossilize only as amber inclusions, and thus their fossil record is remarkably sparse. Here, we document a disparate assemblage of myrmeleontiform larvae from the mid-Cretaceous amber (99 Ma) of Myanmar, evidence of a considerable diversification. Our cladistic analysis integrating extant and extinct taxa resolves the fossils as both stem- and crown-groups. Similarities between extinct and extant species permit inferences of larval ethology of the fossil species through statistical correlation analyses with high support, implying that morphological disparity matched behavioural diversity. An improved understanding of the evolutionary history of antlions and relatives supports the conclusion that hunting strategies, such as camouflage and fossoriality, were acquired early within the lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Badano
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Università degli studi di Genova, Corso Europa 26, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Michael S Engel
- Division of Entomology, Natural History Museum, and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, 10024, USA
| | - Andrea Basso
- Laboratory of Genomics, DAFNAE, Agripolis-University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology and Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 39 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, 210008, China.
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Pierfilippo Cerretti
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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Liu X, Shi G, Xia F, Lu X, Wang B, Engel MS. Liverwort Mimesis in a Cretaceous Lacewing Larva. Curr Biol 2018; 28:1475-1481.e1. [PMID: 29706517 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.03.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Camouflage and mimicry are staples among predator-prey interactions, and evolutionary novelties in behavior, anatomy, and physiology that permit such mimesis are rife throughout the biological world [1, 2]. These specializations allow for prey to better evade capture or permit predators to more easily approach their prey, or in some cases, the mimesis can serve both purposes. Despite the importance of mimesis and camouflage in predator-avoidance or hunting strategies, the long-term history of these traits is often obscured by an insufficient fossil record. Here, we report the discovery of Upper Cretaceous (approximately 100 million years old) green lacewing larvae (Chrysopoidea), preserved in amber from northern Myanmar, anatomically modified to mimic coeval liverworts. Chrysopidae are a diverse lineage of lacewings whose larvae usually camouflage themselves with a uniquely constructed packet of exogenous debris, conveying greater stealth upon them as they hunt prey such as aphids as well as evade their own predators [3, 4]. However, no lacewing larvae today mimic their surroundings. While the anatomy of Phyllochrysa huangi gen. et sp. nov. allowed it to avoid detection, the lack of setae or other anatomical elements for entangling debris as camouflage means its sole defense was its mimicry, and it could have been a stealthy hunter like living and other fossil Chrysopoidea or been an ambush predator aided by its disguise. The present fossils demonstrate a hitherto unknown life-history strategy among these "wolf in sheep's clothing" predators, one that apparently evolved from a camouflaging ancestor but did not persist within the lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyue Liu
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Gongle Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology and Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 39 East Beijing Road, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Fangyuan Xia
- Lingpoge Amber Museum, Nanjiao Bieshu 394, Shanghai 201108, China
| | - Xiumei Lu
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology and Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 39 East Beijing Road, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | - Michael S Engel
- Division of Entomology, Natural History Museum, 1501 Crestline Drive, Suite 140, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA; Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA; Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192, USA.
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14
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Engel MS, Winterton SL, Breitkreuz LCV. Phylogeny and Evolution of Neuropterida: Where Have Wings of Lace Taken Us? ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 63:531-551. [PMID: 29324039 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-020117-043127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The last 25 years of phylogenetic investigation into the three orders constituting the superorder Neuropterida-Raphidioptera, Megaloptera, and Neuroptera-have brought about a dramatic revision in our understanding of the evolution of lacewings, snakeflies, dobsonflies, and their diverse relatives. Phylogenetic estimations based on combined analyses of diverse data sources, ranging from adult and larval morphology to full mitochondrial genomic DNA, have begun to converge on similar patterns, many times in accordance with hypotheses put forth by Cyril Withycombe nearly a century ago. These data, in combination with information from the fossil record, have given a revised perspective on the historical evolution and classification of Neuropterida, necessitating an overhaul of their organization and providing focus and insight on fruitful future efforts for neuropterology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Engel
- Division of Entomology, Natural History Museum, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-4415, USA; ,
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary History, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-4415, USA
| | - Shaun L Winterton
- California State Collection of Arthropods, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento, California 95832-1448, USA;
| | - Laura C V Breitkreuz
- Division of Entomology, Natural History Museum, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-4415, USA; ,
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary History, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-4415, USA
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Wang B, Xia F, Engel MS, Perrichot V, Shi G, Zhang H, Chen J, Jarzembowski EA, Wappler T, Rust J. Debris-carrying camouflage among diverse lineages of Cretaceous insects. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2016; 2:e1501918. [PMID: 27386568 PMCID: PMC4928993 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1501918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Insects have evolved diverse methods of camouflage that have played an important role in their evolutionary success. Debris-carrying, a behavior of actively harvesting and carrying exogenous materials, is among the most fascinating and complex behaviors because it requires not only an ability to recognize, collect, and carry materials but also evolutionary adaptations in related morphological characteristics. However, the fossil record of such behavior is extremely scarce, and only a single Mesozoic example from Spanish amber has been recorded; therefore, little is known about the early evolution of this complicated behavior and its underlying anatomy. We report a diverse insect assemblage of exceptionally preserved debris carriers from Cretaceous Burmese, French, and Lebanese ambers, including the earliest known chrysopoid larvae (green lacewings), myrmeleontoid larvae (split-footed lacewings and owlflies), and reduviids (assassin bugs). These ancient insects used a variety of debris material, including insect exoskeletons, sand grains, soil dust, leaf trichomes of gleicheniacean ferns, wood fibers, and other vegetal debris. They convergently evolved their debris-carrying behavior through multiple pathways, which expressed a high degree of evolutionary plasticity. We demonstrate that the behavioral repertoire, which is associated with considerable morphological adaptations, was already widespread among insects by at least the Mid-Cretaceous. Together with the previously known Spanish specimen, these fossils are the oldest direct evidence of camouflaging behavior in the fossil record. Our findings provide a novel insight into early evolution of camouflage in insects and ancient ecological associations among plants and insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- Steinmann Institute, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Corresponding author.
| | | | - Michael S. Engel
- Division of Entomology, Natural History Museum and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Vincent Perrichot
- CNRS UMR 6118 Géosciences and OSUR, Université de Rennes 1, 35042 Rennes, France
| | - Gongle Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Haichun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Jun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, China
| | - Edmund A. Jarzembowski
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- Department of Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Torsten Wappler
- Steinmann Institute, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jes Rust
- Steinmann Institute, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
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