| Gyaclavator Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
 | |
| G. kohlsi holotype | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Heteroptera |
| Family: | Tingidae |
| Genus: | † Gyaclavator |
| Species: | †G. kohlsi |
| Binomial name | |
| †Gyaclavator kohlsi Wappler, Guilbert, Wedmann, & Labandeira, 2015 | |
Gyaclavator is an extinct genus of lace bug in the family Tingidae known from a fossil found in North America. The genus contains a single species, Gyaclavator kohlsi.
G. kohlsi was described from a group of fossils, which are compression-impression fossil pairs preserved in layers of soft sedimentary rock. [1] Along with other well preserved insect fossils, the G. kohlsi specimens were collected from layers of the Late Early Eocene [2] Parachute Creek Member of the Green River Formation. The formation is a group of Late Paleocene to Late Eocene depositional basins in Wyoming and Utah. The Parachute Creek Member is a composed of oil shales from the shallow mountain lake, Lake Uinta, [2] that existed for around 20 million years. Study of the paleoflora preserved in the shales indicates the lake was around 1,500–2,900 metres (4,900–9,500 ft) in elevation surrounded by a tropical to subtropical environment that had a distinct dry season. [1] [2]
At the time of study, the holotype and paratype counterpart and parts were part of the paleoentomology collections housed by the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. They were first studied by an international team of researchers headed by Torsten Wappler of the Naturmuseum Senckenberg, Messel pit research station, Germany. The team's 2014 type description of the genus and species was published in the natural sciences journal PLOS ONE . The generic name is a combination of "Gyas", a Greek giant, and the Latin "clavator" meaning club. The name is a reference to the unique enlarged structuring of the antennae. The specific epithet kohlsi is a patronym coined in honor of David Kohls, for the support he has provided paleontology along with finding and donating the holotype fossil. [2]
At the time of description, the total number of Tingidae species described from fossils in the United States was six, with Dictyla veterna , Eotingis antennata and Tingis florissantensis from the late Eocene Florissant Formation. Vianagramma goldmani and Vianathauna pericarti are both from the Turonian New Jersey amber. [3] Of the four species described from Colorado as of 2015, G. kohlsi was the first described from the Green River Formation. [2]
The structuring of the wings is very similar to extant species in the subfamily Cantacaderinae. However phylogenetic analysis gave results suggesting G. kohlsi is a possible sister taxon to the subfamily. If placed in the subfamily, the species would be the only record of the subfamily from the Nearctic region, though the subfamily is known from the Neotropic region, with a fossil species described from Dominican amber. [2]
The known G. kohlsi fossils are all males, preserved with whole bodies but missing portions of the legs or antennae. The holotype and two of the paratypes are preserved in ventral view while the fourth paratype is in dorsal preservation and missing the forward area and antennae. The holotype is 5.5 mm (0.22 in) from the ends of the hemelytra to the tip of the head. The three paratypes are 5.0 mm (0.20 in), 5.4 mm (0.21 in), and 5.0 mm (0.20 in) long respectively. In all the specimens the well developed hemelytra project past the tip of the abdomen and the bodies have an overall ovoid shape. [2] The heads have a long rostrum, laying along the head and ending almost at the abdomen. The eyes are round and project from out from the sides of the head. There are three raised carinae which run along the pronotum. The antennae, which are as long as the head to the abdomen, are made up of four segments. Antennomere three is the longest and antennomere two is shortest. The final segment is flared into a petal form, with a ridge separating them into a wider side and a longer side. [2]
Given the unique flaring of the distiflagellomere (the last segment of the antennae), it is possible the antennae were used in male to male competition displays, or in female courtship, though they may have only been used for sensory input. The species is the first known example of distinct visual display structuring in Tingidae antennae. Similar modification of antennae segments is seen in the leaf footed bug genera Chariesterus and Chondrocera who use them in aerial displays competing with nearby males to attract females. [2]
Prionomyrmex is an extinct genus of bulldog ants in the subfamily Myrmeciinae of the family Formicidae. It was first described by Gustav Mayr in 1868, after he collected a holotype worker of P. longiceps in Baltic amber. Three species are currently described, characterised by their long mandibles, slender bodies and large size. These ants are known from the Eocene and Late Oligocene, with fossil specimens only found around Europe. It is suggested that these ants preferred to live in jungles, with one species assumed to be an arboreal nesting species. These ants had a powerful stinger that was used to subdue prey. In 2000, it was suggested by Cesare Baroni Urbani that the living species Nothomyrmecia macrops and a species he described both belonged to Prionomyrmex, but this proposal has not been widely accepted by the entomological community. Instead, scientists still classify the two genera distinctive from each other, making Nothomyrmecia a valid genus.
Gesomyrmex germanicus is an extinct species of ant in the subfamily Formicinae known from an Eocene fossil found in Europe. G. germanicus is one of only eight species in the ant genus Gesomyrmex to have been described from fossils found in Europe.
Gesomyrmex pulcher is an extinct species of ant in the subfamily Formicinae known from an Eocene fossil found in Europe. G. pulcher is one of only eight species in the ant genus Gesomyrmex to have been described from fossils found in Europe.
Archimyrmex is an extinct genus of ant in the formicid subfamily Myrmeciinae, described by palaeoentomologist Theodore Cockerell in 1923. The genus contains four described species, Archimyrmex rostratus, Archimyrmex piatnitzkyi, Archimyrmex smekali and Archimyrmex wedmannae. Archimyrmex is known from a group of Middle Eocene fossils which were found in North America, South America, and Europe. The genus was initially placed in the subfamily Ponerinae, but it was later placed in Myrmeciinae; it is now believed to be the ancestor of the extant primitive genus Myrmecia from Australia. Despite this, Archimyrmex is not a member to any tribe and is regarded as incertae sedis within Myrmeciinae. However, some authors believe Archimyrmex should be assigned as incertae sedis within Formicidae. These ants can be characterised by their large mandibles and body length, ranging from 13.2 to 30 mm. They also have long, thin legs and an elongated mesosoma (thorax) and petiole.
Casaleia is an extinct genus of ants in the formicid subfamily Amblyoponinae described by Pagliano & Scaramozzino in 1990 from fossils found in Europe. The genus contains four species dating from the Eocene to Miocene, Casaleia eocenica, Casaleia inversa, Casaleia longiventris, Casaleia orientalis.
Leptopharsa tacanae is an extinct species of lace bug in the family Tingidae. The species is solely known from the Late Oligocene to Middle Miocene Mexican amber deposits. The species is the first lace bug described from Mexican amber.
Pseudectatomma is an extinct genus of ants in the formicid subfamily Ectatomminae described by from fossils found in Europe. The genus contains two species dating from the Eocene, Pseudectatomma eocenica and Pseudectatomma striatula.
Pachycondyla eocenica is an extinct species of ant in the formicid subfamily Ponerinae described from fossils found in Europe. P. eocenica is one of six Lutetian Pachycondyla species.
Pachycondyla lutzi is an extinct species of ant in the formicid subfamily Ponerinae described by from fossils found in Europe. P. lutzi is one of six Lutetian Pachycondyla species.
Pachycondyla? messeliana is an extinct species of ants in the formicid subfamily Ponerinae described by from a fossil found in Europe. P.? messeliana is one of six Lutetian Pachycondyla species.
Pachycondyla parvula is an extinct species of ant in the formicid subfamily Ponerinae described by from a fossil found in Europe. P. parvula is one of six Lutetian Pachycondyla species.
Pachycondyla petiolosa is an extinct species of ant in the formicid subfamily Ponerinae described by from a fossil found in Europe. P. parvula is one of six Lutetian Pachycondyla species.
Pachycondyla petrosa is an extinct species of ant in the formicid subfamily Ponerinae described from a fossil found in Europe. P. petrosa is one of six Lutetian Pachycondyla species.
Elephantomyia (Elephantomyia) pulchella is an extinct species of crane fly in the family Limoniidae. The species is solely known from the Middle Eocene Baltic amber deposits in the Baltic Sea region of Europe. The species is one of six described from Baltic amber.
Protopone is an extinct genus of ants in the formicid subfamily Ponerinae described from fossils found in Europe and Asia. There are seven described species placed into the genus, Protopone? dubia, Protopone germanica, Protopone magna, Protopone oculata, Protopone primigena, Protopone sepulta, and Protopone vetula. Protopone is one several Lutetian Ponerinae genera.
Cephalopone is an extinct genus of ants in the formicid subfamily Ponerinae described from fossils found in Europe. There are two described species placed into the genus, Cephalopone grandis and Cephalopone potens. Cephalopone is one several Lutetian Ponerinae genera.
Cyrtopone is an extinct genus of ants in the formicid subfamily Ponerinae described from fossils found in Europe. There are four described species placed into the genus, Cyrtopone curiosa, Cyrtopone elongata, Cyrtopone microcephala, and Cyrtopone striata. Cyrtopone is one several Lutetian Ponerinae genera.
Messelepone is an extinct genus of ants in the formicid subfamily Ponerinae described from fossils found in Europe. M. leptogenoides is the only species assigned to the genus, which is one of several Lutetian Ponerinae genera.
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Klondikia is an extinct hymenopteran genus in the ant family Formicidae with a single described species Klondikia whiteae. The species is solely known from the Early Eocene sediments exposed in northeast Washington state, United States. The genus is currently not placed into any ant subfamily, being treated as incertae sedis.
Media related to Gyaclavator at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Gyaclavator kohlsi at Wikispecies