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Diverse Cretaceous larvae reveal the evolutionary and behavioural history of antlions and lacewings
Badano, Davide Engel, Michael S. Basso, Andrea Wang, Bo Cerretti, Pierfilippo
Badano, Davide
Engel, Michael S.
Basso, Andrea
Wang, Bo
Cerretti, Pierfilippo
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Abstract
Myrmeleontiformia are an ancient group of lacewing insects characterized by predatory
larvae with unusual morphologies and behaviours. Mostly soil dwellers with a soft cuticle,
their larvae fossilize only as amber inclusions, and thus their fossil record is remarkably
sparse. Here, we document a disparate assemblage of myrmeleontiform larvae from the midCretaceous amber (99 Ma) of Myanmar, evidence of a considerable diversification. Our
cladistic analysis integrating extant and extinct taxa resolves the fossils as both stem- and
crown-groups. Similarities between extinct and extant species permit inferences of larval
ethology of the fossil species through statistical correlation analyses with high support,
implying that morphological disparity matched behavioural diversity. An improved understanding of the evolutionary history of antlions and relatives supports the conclusion that
hunting strategies, such as camouflage and fossoriality, were acquired early within the
lineage.
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Date
2018-08-22
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Nature Research
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Diverse Cretaceous.pdf
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Keywords
Entomology, Palaeontology, phylogenetics, Taxonomy
Citation
Badano, D., Engel, M.S., Basso, A. et al. Diverse Cretaceous larvae reveal the evolutionary and behavioural history of antlions and lacewings. Nat Commun 9, 3257 (2018) doi:10.1038/s41467-018-05484-y