Praeblattella aliciae sp. nov. from Cretaceous Myanmaramber indicates a transition of the Mesoblattinidae towards the Ectobiidae
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Abstract
The cockroach Praeblattella VRŠANSKÝ, 2003 is a cosmopolitan genus recorded from the Mesozoic localities of Japan, Mongolia, the Russian Federation, South Korea, Thailand, Myanmar, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, India and USA, ranging in age from the Oxfordian to the Campanian (Late Jurassic to Late Cretaceous). Until now, two species were described from the amber of Cretaceous age, from North Myanmar Praeblattella patrickmuelleri ŠMÍDOVÁ in ŠMÍDOVÁ, BRUTHANSOVÁ & HAIN, 2024 and Praeblattella continuosa ŠMÍDOVÁ in ŠMÍDOVÁ, BRUTHANSOVÁ & HAIN, 2024. A new species from Myanmar amber, Praeblattella aliciae sp. nov. is described here, with characteristic pale forewing longitudinal colouration (including distinct dark maculae) and a venation scheme typical for the genus. The geographic distribution of Praeblattella fossil specimens is also given. Due to its high level of preservation in amber, this new species expands the fossil record and contributes to a better understanding of the morphology of this cockroach genus. It is unique in revealing characteristics transitional to its descendant family, the Ectobiidae.
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References
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