Articles | Volume 24, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/fr-24-445-2022
https://doi.org/10.5194/fr-24-445-2022
Research article
 | 
04 Jan 2022
Research article |  | 04 Jan 2022

The first xiphydriid wood wasp in Cretaceous amber (Hymenoptera: Xiphydriidae) and a potential association with Cycadales

Jia Gao, Michael S. Engel, Friðgeir Grímsson, Lei Gu, Dong Ren, and Tai-Ping Gao

Cited articles

Balme, B. E.: Fossil in-situ spores and pollen grains: an annotated catalogue, Rev. Palaeobot. Palyno., 87, 81–323, https://doi.org/10.1016/0034-6667(95)93235-X, 1995. 
Benson, R. B.: Classification of the Xiphydriidae (Hymenoptera), T. Roy. Ent. Soc. London, 105, 151–162, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.1954.tb00781.x, 1954. 
Bolinder, K., Humphreys, A. M., Ehrlén, J., Alexandersson, R., Ickert-Bond, S., and Rydin, C.: From near extinction to diversification by means of a shift in pollination mechanism in the gymnosperm relict Ephedra (Ephedraceae, Gnetales), The Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 180, 461–477, 2016. 
Cai, C., Escalona, H. E., Li, L., Yin, Z., Huang, D., and Engel, M. S.: Beetle pollination of Cycads in the Mesozoic, Current Biol., 28, 2806–2812, 2018. 
Download
Short summary
We described the first xiphydriid wood wasp fossil, which extends the occurrence of Xiphydriidae into the mid-Cretaceous and adds to the known diversity of features in the family. In addition, the simplification of the wing venation and hypothesized host-plant affiliations of early xiphydriids are discussed based on the pollen of Cycadales preserved with the wasp.
Share