99 Million-Year-Old Amber Offers Rare Glimpse Of Dinosaur Era
NDTV
The mid-Cretaceous period, characterized by hot and humid conditions, witnessed an explosion in insect diversity. This era provided fertile ground for the evolution of countless species, including the colorful Miropictopallium coloradmonens.
In a discovery akin to stepping back into the ancient world, Israeli scientists uncovered a new species of flea preserved in amber. This remarkable find offers a rare glimpse into the distant past, approximately 99 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth alongside a diverse array of insects.
The study, led by Dolav Fabrikant from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tanya (Tatiana) Novoselsky from the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at Tel Aviv University, has been published in the peer-reviewed Israel Journal of Entomology.
Named Miropictopallium coloradmonens, this flea stands out from its ancient counterparts due to its vivid and distinct coloration. While most ancient insects preserved in amber exhibit muted, yellowish-brown hues, this flea boasts striking colors that likely served as a form of predator deterrent, akin to a natural superhero cape.
