Description of an ancient social bee trapped in amber using diagnostic radioentomology

The application of non-invasive imaging technologies using X-radiation (diagnostic radioentomology, ‘DR’) is demonstrated for the study of amber-entombed social bees. Here, we examine the external and internal morphology of an Early Miocene (Burdigalian) stingless bee (Apinae: Meliponini) from the D...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Insectes sociaux 2011, Vol.58 (4), p.487-494
Main Authors: Greco, M. K, Welz, P. M, Siegrist, M, Ferguson, S. J, Gallmann, P, Roubik, D. W, Engel, M. S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
amber
Apoidea
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Entomology
Exact sciences and technology
Invertebrate paleontology
Life Sciences
Meliponini
micro-computed tomography
new species
Paleontology
Research Article
stingless bees
Stratigraphy
X-radiation
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Summary:The application of non-invasive imaging technologies using X-radiation (diagnostic radioentomology, ‘DR’) is demonstrated for the study of amber-entombed social bees. Here, we examine the external and internal morphology of an Early Miocene (Burdigalian) stingless bee (Apinae: Meliponini) from the Dominican Republic using non-destructive X-ray microtomography analysis. The study permits the accurate reconstruction of features otherwise obscured or impossible to visualize without destroying the sample and allows diagnosis of the specimen as a new species, Proplebeia adbita Greco and Engel.
ISSN:0020-1812
1420-9098
DOI:10.1007/s00040-011-0168-8