Oregon State University fossil research has revealed an exquisite merger of art and science: a long-stemmed flower of a newly described plant species encased in a 30-million-year-old tomb together with a parasitic wasp. Oregon State University fossil research has revealed an exquisite merger of art and science: a long-stemmed flower of a newly described plant…

Read More “Entombed together: Rare fossil flower and parasitic wasp make for amber artwork” »

Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are a diverse group of charismatic microscopic invertebrates that are best known for their ability to survive extreme conditions. A famous example was a 2007 trip to space where tardigrades were exposed to the space vacuum and harmful ionizing solar radiation, and still managed to survive and reproduce after…

Read More “New tardigrade species found in 16 million year old Domincan amber” »

An Oregon State University study has identified four new species of parasitic, cockroach-killing ensign wasps that became encased in tree resin 25 million years ago and were preserved as the resin fossilized into amber. Ensign wasp [Credit: George Poinar Jr., Oregon State University] “Some species of ensign wasps have even been used to control cockroaches…

Read More “Four new species of prehistoric parasitic cockroach-killing ensign wasps identified” »

The tiny forefoot of a lizard of the genus Anolis was trapped in amber about 15 to 20 million years ago. Every detail of this rare fossil is visible under the microscope. But the seemingly very good condition is deceptive: The bone is largely decomposed and chemically transformed, very little of the original structure remains….

Read More “Rare lizard fossil preserved in amber” »

When trying to better the odds for survival, a major dilemma that many animals face is dispersal — being able to pick up and leave to occupy new lands, find fresh resources and mates, and avoid intraspecies competition in times of overpopulation. Distribution of springtails on termite and ant hosts within ~ 16 Ma old…

Read More “16-million-year-old fossil shows springtails hitchhiking on winged termite” »

Fossils preserved in Dominican amber reveal a new family, genus and species of microinvertebrate from the mid-Tertiary period, a discovery that shows unique lineages of the tiny creatures were living 30 million years ago. Fossils preserved in Dominican amber reveal a new family, genus and species of microinvertebrate from the mid-Tertiary period, a discovery that…

Read More “Meet the ‘mold pigs,’ a new group of invertebrates from 30 million years ago” »