A new genus of japygids (Diplura: Japygidae) in mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar

Abstract

Diplura is a cryptic and edaphic group of hexapod animals characterized by the presence of filiform or pincer-like cerci located at the end of the abdomen. As one of the early diverging lineages of Hexapoda, diplurans play a crucial role in unraveling the origin of the hyperdiverse insects. The fossil record of diplurans, however, is exceptionally limited due to their delicate bodies and habitat requirements. Here we report the discovery of a new japygid, Cretojapyx huangi gen. et sp. nov., entombed in mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber (northern Myanmar). This specimen exhibits distinctive features, including the well-developed carinae on abdominal segment X and cerci, left cercus lacking a prominent tooth and denticles, and right cercus with a postmedian tooth followed by uniseriate round denticles. Our finding provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into the evolutionary history of this ancient lineage and deepen our understanding of terrestrial ecosystems during the Mesozoic.