Diverse barklice (Psocodea) from Late Cretaceous Vendean amber

Abstract

The fossil psocodeans from Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian to Santonian) amber of Vendée, in northwestern France, are studied. Two new genera and three new species are described and illustrated, as Proprionoglaris axioperierga n. sp. (Archaeatropidae), Scocompus atelisus n. gen. and sp. (uncertain family within the Amphientometae), and Mesopsocoides dupei n. gen. and sp. (earliest fossil record of the Mesopsocidae). The new fossils are distinguished from their congeners, and their respective systematic placement is discussed. Other fragmentary fossil psocodeans from the same outcrop are illustrated and discussed. Keywords: Insecta, Psocoptera, Trogiomorpha, Troctomorpha, Psocomorpha, Cretaceous