The oldest representative of the extant barklice genus Psyllipsocus (Psocodea: Trogiomorpha: Psyllipsocidae) from the Cenomanian amber of Myanmar.

Abstract

We describe Psyllipsocus yoshizawai sp. nov., the oldest and first Cretaceous species of the extant genus Psyllipsocus (Psocodea: Trogiomorpha: Psyllipsocidae). This is the fifth genus and sixth species to be identified within the family Psyllipsocidae from the Cretaceous and the third genus and fourth species of psyllipsocids from the Cenomanian amber of Myanmar (Burmese amber, in Tanai). Its taxonomic affinities with the other fossil and living psyllipsocid genera are discussed. The attribution to the extant genus Psyllipsocus is based on the absence of any significant differences with this genus that could not correspond to a specific level. This situation is rare but not exceptional, as some other extant insect genera have already been recorded from the Burmese amber. It suggests a high morphological stability of the genus over time. A checklist of the known Cretaceous psocodean species from amber is given.