Amber-encased fossil shines light on evolution of bioluminescent insects
Published:01 Nov.2022 Source:University of Bristol
Most light-producing beetles are soft-bodied and quite small, and so have a scant fossil record. However, this new fossil, found in amber from northern Myanmar, is exceptionally well-preserved, even the light organ on its abdomen is intact.
The majority of light-producing beetles fall into the giant superfamily Elateroidea with some 24 thousand known species and thousands more awaiting to be described.
Light producing beetles often have unusual adaptations. One of the most striking ones is that the females often don't look anything like their male counterparts and instead retain many larval features into adulthood.