Cretalepisma

Cretalepisma Temporal range: Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian Stage (~100 million years ago)
Conservation status
Extinct
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Insecta
Class:	Arthropoda
Order:	Archaeognatha
Family:	Lepismatidae
Genus:	†Cretalepisma
Species:	†C. kachinicum Mendes and Wunderlich, 2013

The genus Cretalepisma is a Cretaceous-aged insect. This individual, like its modern counterparts, exhibits the characteristic elongated body and distinct bristly appendages that have remained relatively unchanged since their appearance in the Devonian period.

The Archaeognatha, commonly known as Bristletails, represented a diverse and ancient group of wingless insects that inhabited various ecosystems throughout Earth's history. This plaque of amber, (photo shown) unearthed from the prolific deposits of Burmite in present-day Myanmar (formerly Burma), provides a fascinating glimpse into the prehistoric world, encapsulating a moment frozen in time some 100 million years ago.

Accompanying the Archaeognathan specimen are two additional inhabitants of this ancient ecosystem: a 4 mm cockroach nymph and a diminutive 1 mm beetle. This co-preservation of multiple species within a single amber inclusion provides valuable insights into the ecological interactions and diversity of life during the Mesozoic era.

The discovery of Archaeognathan specimens preserved in Burmite amber adds to the growing body of evidence documenting the remarkable longevity and evolutionary stability of these enigmatic insects. Despite undergoing significant geological and environmental changes over millions of years, the basic body plan and ecological roles of Bristletails have persisted relatively unchanged, highlighting their resilience and adaptability in the face of evolutionary pressures.

Such fossilized specimens serve as invaluable resources for paleontologists and evolutionary biologists, offering a unique window into the ancient past and shedding light on the evolutionary trajectories of terrestrial arthropods. As our understanding of prehistoric ecosystems continues to evolve, discoveries like this plaque of Burmite amber contribute to the ongoing exploration of Earth's rich natural history.

File:Cretalepisma.jpg

Cretalepisma in amber.

Sources

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A05887947A1BFFFF9FE0D7DB84E4FA2F/3