Mesophthirus
''Mesophthirus'' is an extinct genus of insect known from Burmese Amber, Burmese amber from Myanmar during the mid-Cretaceous period, about 100 million years ago. Its Monotypic taxon, sole species, ''Mesophthirus engeli'', is known from multiple specimens preserved with feathers of dinosaurs. It was originally considered that ''Mesophthirus'' fed on the feather as evidenced from the damaged dinosaur feathers preserved with it. However, later studies considered it as nymphal scale insect, probably belongs to Xylococcidae, and not a parasitic insect that fed on feather. Description ''Mesophthirus engeli'' is only known from nymphs, and adults of this insect is unknown. Up to 229 μm long, it has tiny eyes, short legs, short antenna and no wings. Its claws and antenna are covered in long, stiff bristles. Its overall body shape is oval to oblong, with no constriction between head, thorax, and abdomen. It was originally considered to have huge Mandible (insect mouthpart), mandibles wit ...
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Mesophthirus Engeli Fig2 I
''Mesophthirus'' is an extinct genus of insect known from Burmese Amber, Burmese amber from Myanmar during the mid-Cretaceous period, about 100 million years ago. Its Monotypic taxon, sole species, ''Mesophthirus engeli'', is known from multiple specimens preserved with feathers of dinosaurs. It was originally considered that ''Mesophthirus'' fed on the feather as evidenced from the damaged dinosaur feathers preserved with it. However, later studies considered it as nymphal scale insect, probably belongs to Xylococcidae, and not a parasitic insect that fed on feather. Description ''Mesophthirus engeli'' is only known from nymphs, and adults of this insect is unknown. Up to 229 μm long, it has tiny eyes, short legs, short antenna and no wings. Its claws and antenna are covered in long, stiff bristles. Its overall body shape is oval to oblong, with no constriction between head, thorax, and abdomen. It was originally considered to have huge Mandible (insect mouthpart), mandibles wit ...
[...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]