The first eomeropid (Insecta, Mecoptera) from mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber

Twelve fossil species of Eomeropidae from the Lower Jurassic to Palaeogene have been reported previously, however, all records are preserved by impression fossil. Herein, we describe a new eomeropid, Burmothauma eureka gen. et sp. nov., from mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar. The new genus is distinguished from other eomeropid genera in having broadly rounded apices of wing, Sc with two branches, costal space with double-cell row, R with two branches bounding pterostigma, Rs forking proximal to M, the stem of Rs shorter than M, M4 with four branches. This new find is the first eomeropid from Myanmar amber and also the second genus of Cretaceous eomeropids. This discovery further improves our understanding of Mesozoic eomeropids biodiversity. (c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A new genus and species of Eomeropidae, Burmothauma eureka, has been discovered in mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar. This new find, the second genus of Cretaceous eomeropids, enhances our understanding of the biodiversity of Mesozoic eomeropids.