'Rolling' stoneflies (Insecta: Plecoptera) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber

Area of Science:

• Paleontology
• Entomology
• Systematic Biology

Background:

• Fossil insects, particularly stoneflies (Order: Plecoptera), provide crucial insights into evolutionary history.
• Burmese amber preserves exceptionally detailed specimens from the Cretaceous period, offering a unique window into ancient ecosystems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and formally name seven new species of fossil stoneflies discovered in Cretaceous Burmese amber.
• To establish a new family (Petroperlidae) and new genera (Petroperla, Lapisperla, Electroneuria) within the Systellognatha infraorder.
• To investigate the phylogenetic and palaeobiogeographic implications of these new fossil stonefly discoveries.

Main Methods:

• Morphological analysis of seven new fossil stonefly species preserved in Burmese amber.
• Comparative analysis with existing stonefly taxa to determine taxonomic placement and evolutionary relationships.
• Phylogenetic and palaeobiogeographic analyses based on the described fossil specimens.

Main Results:

• Description of seven new species: Petroperla mickjaggeri, Lapisperla keithrichardsi, Electroneuria ronwoodi, Largusoperla charliewattsi, L. brianjonesi, L. micktaylori, and L. billwymani.
• Establishment of the new family Petroperlidae (Systellognatha) with two new genera, Petroperla and Lapisperla.
• Identification of the first Cretaceous larval specimen of Acroneuriinae (Electroneuria ronwoodi) and expansion of the genus Largusoperla.

Conclusions:

• The discovery of these new taxa, including a new family, significantly enhances our understanding of Cretaceous stonefly diversity.
• The findings contribute to resolving phylogenetic relationships within the Systellognatha and provide data for palaeobiogeographic reconstructions.
• The naming convention honors members of the Rolling Stones, adding a unique aspect to the scientific description.