The first water treader (Heteroptera: Mesoveliidae) from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber

Abstract

Myanmarvelia pankowskiorum gen. et sp. nov., is the first occurrence of the aquatic bug family Mesoveliidae in the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber. This new taxon is described and illustrated based on a well-preserved female specimen. Although numerous morphological characters confirm its placement in the Mesoveliidae its position within the family is unclear. The presence of claws inserted pre-apically and head extended in front of eyes would suggest a placement in the Mesoveliinae but we consider it putative. The fossil record of this family is very poor, ranging between the late Jurassic and the Miocene.