A new whip scorpion (Arachnida: Thelyphonida) with a phoretic mite (Acariformes: Trochometridiidae) from Mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber
Based on modern knowledge of Trochometridium biology and host associations, we suggest that while the whip scorpion served as an incidental host, the primary host was likely a ground-nesting Apoidea (bees or wasps). This hypothesis implies that Mid-Cretaceous ecosystems included early apoids exhibiting nesting behavior, providing an essential niche for the development of this ancient symbiosis.
Authors
- Huijuan Mai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3157-263X)
- Ancheng Peng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3813-1802)
- Pavel Borisovich Klimov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9966-969X)
- Ziying Wu
- Jason A. Dunlop (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0179-6640)
- Yu Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3767-7966)
Institutions
- Yunnan Normal University (CN)
- Yunnan University (CN)
- Purdue University West Lafayette (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMC Ecology and Evolution
- Published
- 2025-05-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-025-02392-w
- Primary Topic
- Fossil Insects in Amber
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Qufu Normal University
- University of Leicester
- Yunnan University
- Yunnan Provincial Department of Education