2026/04/01 by Juanita Rodríguez, Andrew D. Austin, Jessica Marsh · 1 voice · 2 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Affinities #Arthropod #Assemblage (archaeology) #Cave #Fossil Insects in Amber #Spider #Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies #Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy
paper · doi:10.1111/aen.70061
published in Austral Entomology 65(2) (Wiley)
openalex publication_date 2026/04/01 · openalex created_date 2026/04/02 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/07
Abstract Surveys of caves of the Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia, revealed a remarkable assemblage of exceptionally well‐preserved mummified arthropods, comprising Araneae, Blattodea, Coleoptera and Chilopoda, all of which exhibit high levels of troglomorphism, lacking eyes and showing a number of other adaptations. Of note, this arthropod assemblage also included a pompilid wasp which is eyeless and brachypterous and unlike any member of the family known globally. Here, we describe this amazing wasp as Troglopompilus miracaecatus gen. et sp. nov. , and discuss its remarkable morphology and possible affinities and biology.