99-million-year-old amber fossil produces surprises

This newly discovered insect opens a fascinating chapter on flea evolution and provides new perspectives on life during the mid-Cretaceous period.

IANS, Tel Aviv [Israel], 29 April 2024 : In a discovery that feels like a step back into the ancient world, Israeli scientists discovered a new species of flea preserved in amber. This remarkable discovery offers a rare glimpse into the distant past, about 9 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth along with a variety of insects. 

The study was led by Dolav Fabricant and Tanya (Tatiana) Novoselsky of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at Tel Aviv University, published in the peer-reviewed Israeli journal O Entomology.

Named Myropictopalium coloradmonense, this flea stands out from its ancient counterparts due to its vivid and distinctive coloration. While most ancient insects preserved in amber exhibit muted, yellowish-brown coloration, this flea boasts striking colors that likely serve as predator deterrents, akin to natural superhero cape.

The new insect enriches our understanding of an important transitional era in the history of life on land. This era was marked by an increase in biological diversity and the beginning of what became modern ecosystems," Fabricant said. 

The discovery of Myroptictopalium coloradmonense was facilitated by a piece of amber that came up in a public sale, not only This presence of fleas in Myanmar amber sheds light on scientific breakthroughs but also on the historical extent of its distribution, pointing to a broader understanding of prehistoric ecosystems.
The mid- Cretaceous period, characterized by warm and humid conditions, witnessed an explosion in insect diversity. This era provided fertile ground for the evolution of countless species, including the colorful Miropyctopalli coloradomenus. However, as the climate changed and competition intensified, many of these species disappeared, leaving behind only traces preserved in amber for future generations to uncover. 

Amber, a fossilized tree resin, attracts organisms due to its unique properties. Provides an exceptional medium for preserving. Amber begins as a resin secreted from certain trees, such as conifers, in response to injury or disease. When the resin flows from the tree, it can trap small organisms such as insects, spiders, even small vertebrates that happen to be nearby. 

Over time, the resin hardens and turns into amber. This process can take millions of years as the volatile components of the substance evaporate, leaving a rigid structure. Additionally, the resin has antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi that normally break down organic matter. If the amber covering is airtight, oxygen, a key catalyst for decay, cannot penetrate.

"This newly discovered insect opens a fascinating chapter on flea evolution and provides new perspectives on life during the mid-Cretaceous period, "Novoselsky said.