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Gregarious behaviour in Cretaceous earwig nymphs (Insecta, Dermaptera) from southwestern France

Michael S. ENGEL

en Geodiversitas 31 (1) - Pages 129-135

Published on 27 March 2009

This article is a part of the thematic issue Cretaceous ambers from southwestern France: geology, taphonomy, and palaeontology

The first earwigs in Early Cretaceous (latest Albian) amber from southwestern France are described and figured. The amber piece in question, ARC-240, contains a complete earwig nymph as well as three partial nymphs preserved in a single piece of fossiliferous resin from Archingeay (Charente-Maritime, France). The morphology of the nymphs is discussed in relation to their possible taxonomic placement as well as their developmental stage. The preservation of so many nymphs in a single piece is curious and comments about the gregarious nature of modern earwigs in relation to the fossil are provided.


Keywords:

Cretaceous, Albian, Insecta, Neodermaptera, Dermaptera, earwig, fossil, maternal care, ontogeny, behaviour, nymphs

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