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Premise: Molecular studies based on chloroplast markers have questioned the monophyly of the fern genus Pecluma (Polypodioideae, Polypodiaceae), which has several species of Polypodium nested within it. We explored the delimitation of Pecluma and its biogeographic pattern by evaluating the phylogenetic position of four Polypodium species not sequenced thus far and integrating the first fossil evidence of Pecluma. Methods: Using herbarium material, we applied a genome‐skimming approach to obtain a phylogenetic hypothesis of Polypodioideae; assessed the combination of character states observed in the fossil from Miocene Dominican amber using a previously published phylogeny of Polypodioideae based on four plastid markers as framework; calculated divergence times; and conducted an ancestral area estimation. Results: Within Polypodioideae, Pecluma was recovered as sister to Phlebodium. Three of the newly sequenced species—Polypodium otites, P. pinnatissimum, and P. ursipes—were recovered with maximum support within the Pecluma clade, whereas P. christensenii remained within Polypodium. The closest combination of character states of the fossil was found within Pecluma. Our biogeographic analyses suggest an Eocene origin of the genus in South America, with several subsequent Oligocene and Miocene colonization events to Mexico–Central America and to the West Indies. Conclusions: Although the circumscription of Pecluma is still challenging, our results elucidate the origin and age of the genus. The newly described fossil, Pecluma hispaniolae sp. nov., supports the hypothesis that the epiphytic communities of the Greater Antilles exhibit a constant generic composition since the Miocene. We propose new combinations (Pecluma otites, Pecluma pinnatissima, and Pecluma ursipes) to accommodate three species previously classified in Polypodium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The question, when ants first appeared, remains unanswered. However, images of ants in Burmese amber show that some extinct types existed back then. By the mid-Cenozoic, most fossil ants could be assigned to extant genera. The present work examines ancient associations between ants and other organisms based on fossils in amber. Topics include fungal associates, interactions with higher plants, associations between ants and arachnids, ants bringing food to the colony, insect parasites and predators, nematode parasites, ants visiting flowers, ant mimics and gut microbes in ants. All specimens included in the present work are listed with the amber source, present location, published accounts and accession numbers of those in the Poinar amber collection (PAC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stratiomyidae is one of the most species-rich and morphologically diversified Diptera families of the orthorraphous Brachycera. Despite the large species diversity and prevalence in various environments, soldier flies are rare in the fossil records, especially in amber deposits. Here we present the first two Prosopochrysini fossils from Miocene amber. The fossils are assigned to a new genus—Cenorhaphiocerina gen. nov.— included in the extant tribe Prosopochrysini, with the description of two species, C. dominicana sp. nov. from amber mines in the Dominican Republic and C. kraemerae sp. nov. from amber areas in Simojovel, Chiapas, Mexico. The new genus and species are compared with other extant genera of Prosopochrysini. We postulate that Cenorhaphiocerina gen. nov. likely forms a group with the extant genera Acanthasargus White, 1914, Hoplistopsis James, 1950, Rhaphiocerina Lindner, 1936 and the species Prosopochrysa azurea (Lindner, 1951), that should be placed in a separate genus, based on the presence of four medial wing veins, upper and lower frons in the head contrasting in colour, and of some level of dichoptic eyes configuration in males.https://zoobank.org:act:1163F677-D54F-4CB8-A11B-9072E76EE91Fhttps://zoobank.org:act:ADDDBA20-883B-41FB-9C28-3F11E3C34308https://zoobank.org:act:567CEBF3-7E6D-4128-981D-3CC1DB25F0D5 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The correct interpretation of fossils and their reliable taxonomic placements are fundamental for understanding the evolutionary history of biodiversity. Amber inclusions often preserve more morphological information than compression fossils, but are often partially hidden or distorted, which can impede taxonomic identification. Here, we studied four new fossil species of Darwin wasps from Baltic and Dominican amber, using micro computed tomography (micro-CT) scans and 3D reconstructions to accurately interpret and increase the availability of morphological information. We then infer their taxonomic placement in a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis by combining morphological and molecular data of extant and fossil Darwin wasps and evaluate the impact and usefulness of the additional information from micro-CT scanning. The results show that although we gained significant morphological information from micro-CT scanning, especially concerning measurements and hidden dorsal and ventral structures, this did not impact subfamily-level placement for any of the four fossils. However, micro-CT scanning improved the precision of fossil placements at the genus level, which might be key in future dating and diversification analyses. Finally, we describe the four new fossil species as Rhyssa gulliveri sp. nov. in Rhyssinae, Triclistus levii sp. nov. in Metopiinae, Firkantus freddykruegeri gen. et. sp. nov. in Pimplinae and Magnocula sarcophaga gen. et sp. nov. in Phygadeuontinae. The first two species are the first known representatives of the subfamilies Rhyssinae and Metopiinae in amber.

Only three fossils in the Pyraloidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) have been confirmed to date, two adults and one larva. The first confirmed larva, in the subfamily Pyraustinae (Crambidae), was described from Baltic amber. Recently, another pyraloid larva from Dominican amber has come to our attention. We describe this second confirmed larval fossil as Penestola wichardi Solis, Léger & Neumann, sp. nov., based on larval morphological characters, such as setal patterns and the shape of their sclerotized bases or pinacula, and place it in the subfamily Spilomelinae (Crambidae).

The correct interpretation of fossils and their reliable taxonomic placements are fundamental for understanding the evolutionary history of biodiversity. Amber inclusions often preserve more morphological information than compression fossils, but are often partially hidden or distorted, which can impede taxonomic identification. Here, we studied four new fossil species of Darwin wasps from Baltic and Dominican amber, using micro computed tomography (micro-CT) scans and 3D reconstructions to accurately interpret and increase the availability of morphological information. We then infer their taxonomic placement in a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis by combining morphological and molecular data of extant and fossil Darwin wasps and evaluate the impact and usefulness of the additional information from micro-CT scanning. The results show that although we gained significant morphological information from micro-CT scanning, especially concerning measurements and hidden dorsal and ventral structures, this did not impact subfamily-level placement for any of the four fossils. However, micro-CT scanning improved the precision of fossil placements at the genus level, which might be key in future dating and diversification analyses. Finally, we describe the four new fossil species as Rhyssa gulliveri sp. nov. in Rhyssinae, Triclistus levii sp. nov. in Metopiinae, Firkantus freddykruegeri gen. et. sp. nov. in Pimplinae and Magnocula sarcophaga gen. et sp. nov. in Phygadeuontinae. The first two species are the first known representatives of the subfamilies Rhyssinae and Metopiinae in amber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Ponerine ants are almost exclusively predatory and comprise many of the largest known ant species. Within this clade, the genus Neoponera is among the most conspicuous Neotropical predators. We describe the first fossil member of this lineage: a worker preserved in Miocene-age Dominican amber from Hispaniola. Results Neoponera vejestoria sp. nov. demonstrates a clear case of local extinction—there are no known extant Neoponera species in the Greater Antilles. The species is attributable to an extant and well-defined species group in the genus, which suggests the group is older than previously estimated. Through CT scan reconstruction and linear morphometrics, we reconstruct the morphospace of extant and fossil ants to evaluate the history and evolution of predatory taxa in this island system. Conclusions The fossil attests to a shift in insular ecological community structure since the Miocene. The largest predatory taxa have undergone extinction on the island, but their extant relatives persist throughout the Neotropics. Neoponera vejestoria sp. nov. is larger than all other predatory ant workers known from Hispaniola, extant or extinct. Our results empirically demonstrate the loss of a functional niche associated with body size, which is a trait long hypothesized to be related to extinction risk.

A pistillate flower with maturing fruit is described as Plukenetia minima sp. nov. (Euphorbiaceae) in Cenozoic amber from the Dominican Republic. The fossil is characterised by its small size, short glabrous pedicel, glabrous receptacle, 4 sepals, 0 petals and disk, stylodia connate into a column with entire stigmatic tips, and four-carpellate ovary. The nearly mature fruits consist of 4, 2-valvate locules with septicidal dehiscence attached to a long, glabrous columella. An encyrtid wasp (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is adjacent to the flower and a developing gall gnat (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is developing in one of the seed pods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species Attagenus coziki sp. nov. from Burmese amber and Ranolus hrdlickai sp. nov. from Baltic amber are described, illustrated and compared with similar species. The second known specimen of Trogoderma larvalis Háva, Prokop & Herrmann, 2006 from Baltic amber is illustrated. The species Attagenus gedanicissimus Bukejs, Háva & Alekseev, 2020 is newly combined as Ranolus gedanicissimus (Bukejs, Háva & Alekseev, 2020 comb. nov.) and transferred to the subfamily Orphilinae. The female genitalia of Cretodermestes palpalis Deng, Ślipiński, Ren et Pang, 2017 is firstly illustrated. A list of known fossil species is added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the genus Plecia (Diptera: Bibionidae) are described. The only occurrence of the genus Plecia in the Miocene amber of Dominican Republic was formerly identified as P. pristina, a species having previously been described in the Mexican Miocene fauna. The Dominican specimen is hereby studied again and attributed to a new species, Plecia jorgecaridadi n. sp., alongside another new species, Plecia surieli n. sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ponerine ants are almost exclusively predatory and comprise many of the largest known ant species. Within this clade, the genus Neoponera is among the most conspicuous Neotropical predators. We describe the first fossil member of this lineage: a worker preserved in Miocene-age Dominican amber from Hispaniola. Results: Neoponera vejestoria sp. nov. demonstrates a clear case of local extinction—there are no known extant Neoponera species in the Greater Antilles. The species is attributable to an extant and well-defined species group in the genus, which suggests the group is older than previously estimated. Through CT scan reconstruction and linear morphometrics, we reconstruct the morphospace of extant and fossil ants to evaluate the history and evolution of predatory taxa in this island system. Conclusions: The fossil attests to a shift in insular ecological community structure since the Miocene. The largest predatory taxa have undergone extinction on the island, but their extant relatives persist throughout the Neotropics. Neoponera vejestoria sp. nov. is larger than all other predatory ant workers known from Hispaniola, extant or extinct. Our results empirically demonstrate the loss of a functional niche associated with body size, which is a trait long hypothesized to be related to extinction risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larvae of moths and butterflies – caterpillars – are important components of the modern-day terrestrial fauna. The evolutionary emergence of caterpillars as the predominant phytophagous animals in multiple terrestrial biomes have resulted in the dramatic shifts in the vegetation and biotic interactions within these biomes. Despite their importance in the modern and presumably also past biosphere, the geological record of lepidopteran caterpillars remains poorly understood. In this contribution, we are reviewing the fossil record of caterpillars in Dominican and Mexican amber, with descriptions of new specimens. With the latter, a total of 19 caterpillar specimens are known. This is more than in Cretaceous ambers where only five caterpillar specimens have been reported, but much less than in Eocene ambers with, estimated, more than 120 specimens. Absolute numbers may yet be misleading, reflecting other factors such as overall productivity of deposits. Nevertheless, relative abundances reveal that the number of caterpillars in comparison to lacewing larvae in amber faunas has risen significantly after the Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species of ensign wasps (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae), Evaniella setifera sp. nov., Evaniella dominicana sp. nov., and Semaeomyia hispaniola sp. nov. are described from Dominican amber and Hyptia mexicana sp. nov. is described from Mexican amber. Diagnostic characters are presented and a key to the species of Evaniidae from New World Tertiary amber is provided. These descriptions show new and possibly unique morphological features of ensign wasps that existed during the Tertiary. The location of possible hosts of Evaniella setifera is suggested based on three alate termites (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) in the same piece of Dominican amber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new fossil genus of the family Hybotidae is described, based on male and female specimens. The new genus is monotypic: Syneproctus caridadi gen. et sp. nov. It belongs to the subfamily Hybotinae and shares some characters with the extant genera Syneches Walker, 1852, Stenoproctus Loew, 1858 and Chillcottomyia Saigusa, 1986; however, the differences, principally in the wing venation (shortened cua cell, horizontal m-cu crossvein) and sclerotized mouthparts, support the description of a new genus. This is the first description of a new taxon of the subfamily Hybotinae from specimens preserved in Dominican amber.

Abstract Background Dispersal is essential for terrestrial organisms living in disjunct habitats and constitutes a significant challenge for the evolution of wingless taxa. Springtails (Collembola), the sister-group of all insects (with Diplura), are reported since the Lower Devonian and are thought to have originally been subterranean. The order Symphypleona is reported since the early Cretaceous with genera distributed on every continent. This distribution implies an ability to disperse over oceans, however symphypleonan Collembola have never been reported in marine water contrary to other springtail orders. Despite being highly widespread, modern springtails are rarely reported in any kind of biotic association. Interestingly, the fossil record has provided occasional occurrences of Symphypleona attached by the antennae onto the bodies of larger arthropods. Results Here, we document the case of a ~ 16 Ma old fossil association: a winged termite and ant displaying not some, but 25 springtails attached or in close proximity to the body. The collembola exhibit rare features for fossils, reflecting their courtship and phoretic behaviours. By observing the modes of attachment of springtails on different arthropods, the sex representation and ratios in springtail antennal anatomies in new and previously reported cases, we infer a likely mechanism for dispersal in Symphypleona. By revealing hidden evidence of modern springtail associations with other invertebrates such as ants and termites, new compelling assemblages of fossil springtails, and the drastic increase of eusocial insects’ abundance during the Cenozoic (ants/termites comprising more than a third of insects in Miocene amber), we stress that attachment on winged castes of ants and termites may have been a mechanism for the worldwide dispersal of this significant springtail lineage. Moreover, by comparing the general constraints applying to the other wingless soil-dwelling arthropods known to disperse through phoresy, we suggest biases in the collection and observation of phoretic Symphypleona related to their reflexive detachment and infer that this behaviour continues today. Conclusions The specific case of tree resin entrapment represents the (so far) only condition uncovering the phoretic dispersal mechanism of springtails - one of the oldest terrestrial arthropod lineages living today.

A new species, Anthonomusaphelomerus Legalov and Poinar, sp. nov. from Early Miocene Dominican amber is described. The new species differs from Anthonomusbrowni Poinar and Legalov, 2015 in the smaller body size, thinner, weakly curved rostrum and weakly clavate femora; it is differs from Anthonomusclarki Legalov, 2019 in the longer rostrum and slightly convex body; it also differs from Anthonomuscruraluma Poinar and Legalov, 2015 in the profemora with one tooth, and the longer and weaker curved rostrum. A key to species of the genus Anthonomus from Dominican amber is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that flowers use scents to attract pollinators and that these fragrances are composed of a mixture of different chemical compounds, many of which form the basis of perfumes and colognes we use today. An examination of fossil flowers in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber and mid-Tertiary Dominican amber revealed a range of secretory tissues in the form of nectaries, glandular trichomes, eliaphores and osmophores. These tissues most certainly secreted liquids and volatiles to attract pollinators, just as they do in modern flowers. The morphological similarities of secretory tissues found on fossil flowers dating back to 100 mya to those of their present day descendants suggests that ancient and modern flowers may have produced similar essences, including those used in the production of today's perfumes and colognes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pygmy mole crickets (Orthoptera: tridactylidae) are small cricket-like insects that have several interesting morphological features. Their front legs are modified for digging and their back legs are adapted for swimming. The present paper describes two pygmy mole crickets: Ellipes dominicana n. sp. in Dominican amber and Cascogryllus lobiferus gen. et sp. n. in Burmese amber. The Dominican amber specimen is characterized by a narrow profemur and protibia, lack of armature on the protibia, absence of metatibial lamellae, 5 terminal apical/subapical spurs, all bearing a single claw, 2-segmented cerci and the paraproct bearing a pair of lobes. The Burmese amber specimen is characterized by 4 dactyls on the protibia, a well developed metatarsus, 2-segmented cerci, well-developed paraproctal processes and paired prosternal tubercles. These specimens add to our knowledge of the geographical history and morphological diversity of pygmy mole crickets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new genera and species of gall midges are described from Lower-Middle Miocene amber, based on males, which have binodose flagellomeres possessing long looplike sensorial filae: Mexicanodiplosis katyae gen. et sp. nov. (Coquillettomyiidi, Karshomyiini) from Mexican amber, and Ipsseptemmyiarossi gen. et sp. nov. (Aphidoletidi, Bremiini) from Dominican amber. Coquillettomyiidi were previously unknown from fossil resins. An undescribed species of the genus Bremia was previously found in Mexican amber. This is the first gall midge to be described from Dominican amber. Altogether, including the new taxa, 11 species and eight genera of Cecidomyiinae with binodose flagellomeres were found in Mexican amber (five genera, five species), Dominican amber and Rovno amber (one genus, one species each), and Baltic amber (one genus, three species). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discolomatidae are a small beetle family distributed in subtropical to tropical ecosystems. Many of the modern members of the genus Fallia Sharp inhabit Central America while some species occur on Hispaniola, the Galapagos Islands, and the Hawaiian islands. A new fossil species belonging to the same genus, F. palaeodominicana sp. nov., has been found in a piece of Dominican amber, and described as the first fossil member of the family. The presence of extant as well as extinct species of Fallia on Hispaniola provokes questions about the age and origin of the genus Fallia and how long ago it settled Hispaniola. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports developmental stages of Synaptomitus orchiphilus inside the germinating orchid seed, Mycophoris elongatus, in Dominican amber. Evidence is presented of fungal hyphae, monilioform cells and basidiocarps with basidia and basidiospores developing in cells of the seed. This is the first record of the teleomorphic stages of a basidiomycete developing in an angiosperm seed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new weevil species, Mesocordylusdominicus sp. nov. (Dryophthorinae: Orthognathini), Derelomus miocaenicus sp. nov. (Curculioninae: Acalyptini), Anthonomus (Anthonomus) clarki sp. nov. (Curculioninae: Anthonomini) and Compsus (Compsus) poinari sp. nov. (Entiminae: Eustylini) are described from Early Miocene Dominican amber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work reveals plant and animal associates of 16 families and subfamilies of fossil beetles that have been preserved in amber from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Myanmar. The associates include mites, pseudoscorpions, spiders, insect parasites and predators, fungi, angiosperm parts, vertebrates, and nematodes. The presence of these fossil associates can be attributed to the rapid preservation of organisms in resin, thus maintaining natural associations almost “in situ„. Examples of present-day associations similar to those of the fossils show that specific behavioral patterns are often far more ancient than the specific lineages involved.

An unknown compound dominant in the aliphatic hydrocarbon fraction of the solvent extract of a Dominican amber sample was isolated and purified using column chromatography and preparative gas chromatography. 1D and 2D NMR analyses allowed its structure to be assigned as 15- nor- cleroda-3,12-diene. The bridgehead methyl group (CH 3 at C-19) has a 13 C chemical shift of 19.6 ppm, typical for a trans -decalin framework (Nogueira, 2001), indicating the diterpenoid has a trans A/B ring structure. ROESY correlations indicate that the methyl groups at C-19, C-20 were axial and the C-17 methyl group was equatorial, while the H-10 and H-8 were axial and on the other side of Ring B. Taken together, a 5 R ,8 R ,9 S ,10 R -configuration for the new nor-clerodadiene can be established. The absolute configuration of 5 R ,8 R ,9 S ,10 R was further confirmed by comparing the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra of this diterpenoid. The identified diene appears to originate from a Hymenaea species ( Fabaceae ). Non-oxidative decarboxylation of cleroda-3,13-diene-15-oic acid (kovalenic acid) present in Hymenaea species or oxidative decarboxylation of 3-cleroden-15-oic acid in Dominican amber are considered to be the two viable pathways leading to the formation of the identified 15- nor -cleroda-3,12-diene, although the former pathway is more likely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent publication in Botany introduced two new taxa: a fossil orchid seed ( Mycophoris) and a fossilized basidiomycete fungus ( Synaptomitus) in an alleged relationship with this orchid, encased in 15-20 million year old Dominican amber (Poinar, G. 2017. Two new genera, Mycophoris gen. nov., (Orchidaceae) and Synaptomitus gen. nov. (Basidiomycota) based on a fossil seed with developing embryo and associated fungus in Dominican amber. Botany, 95: 1-8). From the working knowledge of extant orchid seeds, seedlings, and mycorrhiza shared among us, we cannot support these interpretations. Here we analyse: ( i) why Mycophoris may not be an orchid seed, ( ii) why Mycophoris is not a germinating seed, ( iii) why fungal hyphae and a symbiotic fungus are absent in Mycophoris, and ( iv) why Synaptomitus is likely not a fossil basidiomycete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paraphloeostiba dominicana Shavrin & Jenkins Shaw, sp. nov. from mid-Miocene Dominican amber is described and illustrated. It represents the first species of the rove beetle subfamily Omaliinae from this Neotropical fossil deposit and represents a genus that is not known among the extant fauna of the Neotropics. The new species, embedded within a large piece of amber, was scanned using X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT), to enable the study of its morphology, including the male genitalia (aedeagus). Based on the revealed characters, the new species is compared with extant and extinct species of the genus Paraphloeostiba Steel, 1960 whose wide extant distribution is confined to the (sub)tropical zones of the world except the Neotropical region and whose fossil record is otherwise known from two species preserved in Eocene Baltic amber from Denmark and Russia. The systematic placement of the genus within the tribe Omaliini, its current and historical ecology and biogeography, as well as the probability that it will be found in the recent Neotropical fauna among the unrevised and undescribed species of Omaliinae are discussed. • The first rove beetle of the subfamily Omaliinae is described from Dominican amber • It is the first species of the genus Paraphloeostiba from the Neotropical region. • It is the third fossil Paraphloeostiba , the other two from late Eocene Baltic amber [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten amber inclusions of male Ripidiinae (Coleoptera: Ripiphoridae) are reported from Early Miocene deposits of the Dominican Republic and compared with extant species of Neorrhipidius Viana, 1958 from Argentina and Paraguay and Quasipirhidius Zaragoza Caballero, 1991 from Mexico. Neorrhipidius seicherti sp. n. and Quasipirhidius luzziae sp. n. are described and illustrated. Both species are characterised by 11-segmented antennae with eight distal antennomeres uniflabellate, mouthparts reduced to maxillary palpi represented by long styli with fused basal palpomeres, by metathoracic wings without crossveins and tarsal formula of 5-5-4. Neorrhipidius seicherti sp. n. differs from Quasipirhidius luzziae sp. n. by the presence of postocular ommatidia and by the shape of metascutellum. The distribution of fossil and extant Ripidiinae in Central America is briefly discussed. Furthermore, the frequent occurrence of Quasipirhidius luzziae sp. n. in amber as syninclusions suggests possibly unique synchronisation of emergence unknown in extant taxa or more likely intraspecific aggregative behaviour by males prior to mating with receptive females.

ABSTRACT - The dolichoderine ant species Gracilidris pombero, sole representative of the genus, is recorded for the first time in southern Brazil. Until now, the species was known only for the open fields of the South American dry diagonal and for a single locality in the Colombian Amazon. The specimens reported here were collected with pitfall traps in grasslands of the Pampa biome, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. This record represents the southernmost occurrence for the genus, extending its distribution in approximately 450 km to the south in the Neotropics and in almost 1,150 km to the south in Brazil.

Aside from a variety of arthropod remains, Dominican amber also contains an assortment of leaves, flowers, and seeds. An orchid seed with a developing embryo in Dominican amber is described as Mycophoris elongatus gen. et sp. nov. Cells of the developing embryo were infected with a fungus that is described as Synaptomitus orchiphilus gen. et sp. nov. The fungus represents a Basidiomycota that was probably serving as an orchid mycorrhiza (OM), based on its morphology and the formation of pelotons inside infected embryo cells. The single piece of amber containing the fossil was obtained from a mine in the Dominican Republic and is at least 15–20 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

' Lindenius paleomystax' described from the Miocene Dominican amber has been included into a separate digger wasp genus, Lindocerus gen. nov. (Crabronidae, Crabroninae, Crabronini), which is similar to the genus Crossocerus Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau et Brullé, 1835, but differs in the well-pronounced hypersternaulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new norlabdane compound, named kujigamberol has previously been isolated from Kuji amber (but not from Baltic amber) by activity guided fractionation. However, there has been no study of biological compounds in Dominican amber. Biological activities were examined using the hypersensitive mutant yeast ( zds1 Δ erg3 Δ pdr1 Δ pdr3 Δ) with respect to Ca 2 + -signal transduction, enzymes and rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis including high resolution (HR)-EI-MS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR. Three diterpenoid compounds, 5(10)-halimen-15-oic acid ( 1 ), 3-cleroden-15-oic acid ( 2 ) and 8-labden-15-oic acid ( 3 ), which are different from the bioactive compounds in Kuji and Baltic ambers, were isolated from Dominican amber. They inhibited both calcineurin (CN) (IC 50 = 40.0, 21.2 and 34.2 μM) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) (IC 50 = 48.9, 43.8 and 41.1 μM) which are involved in the growth restored activity against the mutant yeast. The most abundant compound 2 showed inhibitory activity against both degranulation and Ca 2 + -influx in RBL-2H3 cells. The compounds having the growth restoring activity against the mutant yeast have potential as anti-allergic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]