Fern Diversity in the Mid-Cretaceous Amber Forests Revealed by Exceptionally Preserved Sporangium Types

The amber deposits from the Albian-Cenomanian in Myanmar have emerged as a pivotal source for exceptionally abundant fossil insect fauna since their initial discovery. Recent studies have increasingly focused on elucidating the fern inventory and examining newly available fossils from Myanmar amber, suggesting a diverse fern flora that once thrived in Cretaceous forests. Through investigations of amber collections, with particular emphasis on sporangium structures—especially the annulus types preserved in amber inclusions—this study revealed additional novelties within the Cyatheales and Schizaeales in mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber forests. The described specimens and newly discovered fossils provide compelling evidence that Polypodiales were not only diverse and abundant but also that other fern lineages, such as Cyatheales and Schizaeales, coexisted in these ancient forest ecosystems. This study reveals the high diversity of ferns in the mid-Cretaceous Myanmar area, while also implying the paleoecological and paleogeographical significance of the Mesozoic Burmese amber forests.

Succinite, Baltic Amber:A Chemical Masterpiece of Nature

Succinite,Baltic amber,is one of the most appreciated fossil resins.Its beauty has fascinated people since prehistoric times.It is a substance,and also gemstone,whose uniqueness is due to its compelling,though still not fully understood,physicochemical nature.In this article,some facts about the physical and chemical properties of succinite in order to find an answer for questions about the unique properties of this resin,such as color,transparency,texture etc.,are discussed.These properties are among the factors that determine the choice of Baltic amber as a gemstone.Commonly known properties of succinite,but also some less obvious features,have been linked to the organic and inorganic chemical composition and structural factors,including the sophisticated supramolecular structure masterfully created by nature.Changes of the properties of succinite used as a jewelry stone are discussed as a reflection of changes in its physicochemical nature.In this light,some methods that can be used to identify succinite(i.e.,infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy)and their relevance to the classification of fossil resins are briefly discussed.This article highlights an important point:only by understanding the chemical and physical nature of the material we able to identify,modify and effectively use the goods that have been given to us by mother nature.

Room-Temperature Phosphorescence and Lifetime of Fossil Resins (Amber) from Dominican Republic, Mexico, Baltic Sea, Myanmar, and Fushun, China

Amber can emit room temperature phosphorescence(RTP)under the well-known 365 nm fluorescence ultraviolet light.This paper is devoted to the phosphorescence study of 20 pieces of amber materials from the Dominican Republic,Mexico,Baltic sea,Myanmar,and Fushun,China.The results show that amber from the same geographic origin has similar shape in phosphorescence spectra.However,the shape of the amber phosphorescence spectra varies depending on their different localities.Burmite(amber from Myanmar)and Fushun amber have a bright yellow phosphorescence with a long lifetime,while the Dominican and Mexican ones are weaker and last shorter.The irradiation of Baltic amber becomes faint or even inert.Phosphorescence spectral Gaussian fitting results suggest an emission maximum near 550 nm in most amber samples.Their phosphorescence lifetime,analyzed through the exponential function fitting,is up to 1 second in Burmite and Fushun samples,shorter in the Dominican and Mexican ones,about 0.230 s,and the shortest in Baltic amber,close to 0.151 s.These variations of phosphorescence lifetime and intensity are related to the relative geological ages of these amber.It indicated that the phosphorescence agent was probably formed during the long geological time.While the anomaly occurred in Baltic amber,the only one found in a sea secondary deposit form,it demonstrated that the terrestrial geological environment these amber preserved has prevented the phosphorescence agent to be deactivated.

Ant Pupae from Myanmar Amber Reveal the Evolutionary Process of Cocoon-Spinning Behavior in Formicidae

Many extant species spin cocoons before their pupal stage,which can protect them from predators,pathogens,and fluctuant environmental factors in nests.However,owing to the scarcity of ant cocoon fossils,little is known about the origin and evolution of this behavior in Formicidae.Here,we describe two ant pupae specimens from Myanmar amber.The presence of cocoons in these Mesozoic fossils suggests the ancestral origin of spinning cocoon behavior;based on our phylogenetic analysis and ancestral state reconstruction,this behavior was secondarily lost at least six times in Formicidae,which could be ascribed to the transition of nesting and feeding habits,as well as the development of eusociality.Moreover,the first specimen preserved worker ants with empty cocoons simultaneously,indicating garbage removal or brood care behavior,which improves our understanding of their eusociality in the Cretaceous.

一组和AMBER力场配合的普适波恩模型参数

提出了一套和AMBER力场相匹配的普适波恩模型参数.新的参数集包含21种原子类型的初始半径和屏蔽因子.参数通过遗传算法拟合359个小分子水合自由能的实验值得到.采用新的参数,预测了44个小分子的水合自由能,预测值和实验值能很好地吻合,而且大大优于采用Jayaram参数得到的结果.此外,采用新的参数,还预测了15个蛋白质的水合自由能,预测值和PB/SA预测得到的结果能很好地吻合.

AMBER软件介绍

介绍了用于放射性废物处置系统安全评价的AMBER软件的应用范围、特点、使用限制和步骤,及其所包含的几个应用实例。

图形软件与Amber程序的联合应用

根据分子动力学模拟软件Amber的使用流程,分析了几种图形软件在相应流程中的应用.分子动力学模拟与图形软件的有机结合,大大简化了对所模拟的分子特别是生物大分子的分析,使输入和输出文件都变得更加方便直观.

Community Structure in the Amber Forest:Study of the Arthropod Syninclusia in the Rovno Amber(Late Eocene of Ukraine)

Arthropodan syuinclusions in the Late Eocene Rovno amber were examined using x^2 to reveal correlation of the component groups （some taxa of Diptera, ants, aphids, and mites） supposedly indicative of the biocoenotic relationships in the ancient amber forest. Three tightly correlated groups were identified, representing a putative aerial plankton guild （Chironomidae ＋ Ceratopogonidae） and two tree-trunk guilds, one of which （Dolichopodidae ＋ Germaraphis） is possibly connected to more open or/and more hygrophilous habitats than the other （Sciara zone Diptera ＋ ＂Acarus＂ rhombeus）. The ants were not linked with any of the above components.

Comparison of the Biological Activity and Constituents in Japanese Ambers

Background/Aim: Kuji amber is an interesting natural source for drug discovery because a new anti-allergic compound, named kujigamberol and several new compounds have been isolatated from it. It was important to evaluate the yield, biological activities and constituents of each methanol extract of Kuji, Iwaki, Choshi, Mizunami and Ube ambers in Japan in order to establish if additional new compounds could be identified in these ambers. Materials and Method: Biological activities of each extract were evaluated using growth-restoring activity of the mutant yeast strain involving Ca2+-signal transduction and inhibition activity of degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. Constituents of each extract were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: All ambers except Ube amber have growth-restoring activity against the mutant yeast. Both Kuji and Iwaki ambers inhibited the degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells induced by the calcium ionophore A23187 in a dose dependent manner. The main biologically active compound in Kuji amber, kujigamberol, was also isolated from Iwaki amber and analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Conclusion: Kuji and Iwaki ambers appeared to have the same origin. Choshi, Mizunami, and Ube ambers are valuable sources for biologically active compounds which are different from those of Kuji amber.

Palynological Analysis of Amber-Bearing Clay from the Lower Cretaceous of Central Lebanon

An amber-bearing lignitic layer of sandy clay from the Lower Cretaceous of Central Lebanon （Mderej-Hammana）yielded a well-preserved,moderately variegated palynoflora,which origin is mixed between land plants and marine microflora.Its detailed analysis led to fulfill its inventory,to propose a paleoenvironmental reconstruction,and to draw the paleoclimate which prevailed over the region：an estuarian area under a rather humid,temperate climate;a variety of ferns grew near the shore-side and in the inward land.A tiny piece of amber containing angiospermous pollen grains of stratigraphical interest allows a precise dating.The marine microflora,poorly diversified,includes chitinous foraminifer linings and dinoflagellate cysts,among which Early Aptian guide taxa are present;their occurrence slightly narrows the stratigraphical range indicated by some palynological taxa which are related to land plants.

镎(Ⅳ)、镅(Ⅲ)、锔(Ⅲ)的AMBER力场参数化及评估

锕系元素具有高放射性和毒性,为开展锕系水溶液化学的实验研究带来了困难与挑战。得益于理论计算方法和计算能力的快速发展,运用分子动力学模拟水溶液环境并研究锕系在水溶液当中的化学行为成为一种可替代的方法。本文拟合了Np^4+、Am^3+、Cm^3+三种金属离子的力场参数并进行了评估,进而将其用于溶液配位化学和动力学研究。为了研究的系统性,也开展了Th^4+、U^4+、Pu^4+三种锕系离子的分子模拟研究。基于对上述六种离子的分子动力学研究,系统报道了该六种锕系离子的第一、二溶剂化层结构、性质、立体化学及驻留时间等方面的共性与特性,并从能量方面探究这些内在差异的原因。结果显示,本文报道的参数适用于锕系离子的配位结构和结合自由能的研究,但对于动力学性质的研究,宜谨慎用于相同价态的锕系离子溶液体系的定性理解。本文也探究了六种锕系离子在水溶液中与Cl^-、NO_3^-和CO_3^(2-)的相互作用,分析了各配合物配位模式、成键规律及结合强弱。综上所述,本项工作发展了三种关键锕系离子的力场参数,有助于开展基于AMBER力场的动力学方法的An^3+/^4+溶液化学的研究,丰富了对An^3+/^4+的水溶液中配位化学的认识。

First Psocodean (Psocodea,Empheriidae) from the Cretaceous Amber of New Jersey

Representatives of the extinct psocid family Empheriidae are known from Eocene Baltic amber, Lowermost Eocene French amber （Oise）, and Lower Cretaceous Spanish amber （Alava）. We report herein the first discovery of an empheriid psocid from the Cretaceous amber of New Jersey as Jerseyempheria grimaldii gen. et sp. nov. The fossil is figured and described. The new species is distinguished from related taxa. A discussion and checklist of Empheriidae are provided.

A New Species Group in the Genus Tanytarsus van der Wulp (Diptera:Chironomidae) Based on a Fossil Record from Baltic Amber

A new fossil chironomid, Tanytarsus serafini, found in Baltic amber is described and illustrated based on adult males. The new species and similar extant species of the genus Tanytarsus van der Wulp are compared. Due to several distinct characters of wing, legs and bypopygium, a new species group for Tanytarsus serafini is proposed, and its diagnostic features are evaluated.

A New Subfamily of Aphids (Hemiptera,Aphidomorpha) from the Early Cretaceous Lebanese Amber with a Description of the Oldest Apterous Morphs

Aphids are marked by their high polymorphism, but species reported from the Early Cretaceous are known only from alate morphs. The discovery of an apterous adult morph in Lebanese amber and a larva of the same species are very important for the understanding of both the morphological and biological evolution of this insect group at the very early stage of development. Gondvanoaphis estephani new subfamily, new genus and species of the recent aphids family Thelaxidae is described. The characters of the new genus in respect to other genera placed in Thelaxidae are reviewed. The palaeoeeological and palaeogeographical data concerning Gondvanoaphis new genus are also discussed.

Mesozoic Evaniidae (Insecta:Hymenoptera) in Spanish Amber:Reanalysis of the Phylogeny of the Evanioidea

One new genus and five new species of the family Evaniidae are described from the Early Cretaceous （Albian） Spanish amber of Pefiacerrada-I （Province of Burgos）, San Just and Arroyo de la Pascueta （both in the Province of Teruel）： Cretevania alonsoi sp. nov., C. montoyai sp. nov., C. alcalai sp. nov., C. rubusensis sp. nov., and lberoevania roblesi gen. and sp. nov. Taxonomic changes include Cretevania pristina （Zhang and Zhang, 2000） comb. nov., C. exquisita （Zhang, Rasnitsyn, Wang and Zhang, 2007） comb. nov., C. vesca （Zhang, Rasnltsyn, Wang and Zhang, 2007） comb. nov., and C. cyrtocerca （Deans, 2004） comb. nov., as a result of the reinterpretation of the genera Procretevania and Eovernevania. The new well preserved specimens of the genus Cretevania, together with the characters shown by the type specimens of the synonymized genera, give new information about their anatomical characters of taxonomical importance, and the genus Cretevania Rasnitsyn, 1975 is re-diagnosed. The holotypes of the Russian species in amber have been revised. A cladistic analysis of fossil and extant groups of the superfamily Evanioidea is included. Cretevania had a wide palaeogeographic distribution, with the highest diversity known from Spain. The 13 known Cretevania species show a high interspecific variation mainly in wing characteristics, and a wide range of body and wing size.

New Hormaphididae(Hemiptera,Aphidomorpha) from the Baltic Amber and its Palaeogeographic Significance

The present study describes a new genus and species Unicohormaphis sorini,which belongs to the subfamily Cerataphidinae.The contemporary distribution of aphids belonging to the Hormaphididae family is summarized and analyzed.According to the obtained data,the climate warming in Eocene was conducive to the expansion of the family over the areas of Europe.Subsequent climate changes,resulting from epeirogenic and orogenic movements towards the end of Eocene,led to a considerable cooling and drying of climate in the northern hemisphere.These processes contributed to the shrinking down of areas covered by subtropical forests,which constituted the habitat of Hormaphididae（Cerataphidinae）.Retaining their way of life,the Cerataphidinae were forced to limit their distribution,and the representatives of the family in Europe became completely extinct.

A New Thorny Lacewing (Insecta:Neuroptera:Rhachiberothidae) from the Early Cretaceous Amber of Lebanon

A new genus and species of Rhachiberothidae, Raptorapax terribilissima gen. et sp. nov. from the Cretaceous amber of Lebanon is described. The new genus is assigned to the subfamily Paraberothinae. The new material confirms the great diversity of the group in the Cretaceous age and its decrease in diversity in recent times.

A New Species of Dactylolabis (Eobothrophorus) from Baltic Amber(Diptera:Limoniidae)

A new species, Dactylolabis （Eobothrophorus） hoffeinsorum sp. nov. from the Baltic amber is described, based on one male. The distinctive characters are the shape of the discal cell in the wing and the shape of the process on tergite IX. The description of Dactylolabis （Eobothrophorus） lauryni Podenas, 2003 is amended, based on an additional specimen. With the new species added herein, the number of species of this subgenus totals four. The wing venation, antennae, and tergal processes of all four species of the subgenus described from the Baltic amber are compared.

Microelectrona cladara gen.et sp.nov.:A New Protodikraneurini from the Eocene Baltic Amber(Hemiptera:Cicadomorpha:Cicadellidae:Typhlocybinae)

A new genus Microelectrona gen. nov. and species Microelectrona cladara sp. nov. of the extinct tribe Protodikraneurini of the leafhoppers （Cicadellidae： Typhlocybinae） from the Eocene Baltic amber is described. The piece of amber containing leafhopper inclusion is broken, unveiling some of the morphological structures, and enabling their studies using scanning electron microscopy.

Cretaceous Hitchhikers:a Possible Phoretic Association between a Pseudoscorpion and Bird in Burmese Amber

Objective Phoresy represents a non-parasitic association between animals of different taxa related to transportation. Members of several pseudoscorpion families are phoretic. In pseudoscorpions, phoresy may or may not be associated with their predatory behavior, enabling dispersal over larger distances than they could manage with their own short legs. This provides a wide distribution, and a potential food supply.