In a remarkable discovery, scientists have uncovered the first-ever fossil specimens of the enigmatic mountain midge family, Deuterophlebiidae. These tiny, short-lived flies have long puzzled researchers due to their distinctive features, including a complete reduction of mouthparts and a unique wing venation pattern. The new fossil finds, preserved in Burmese amber dating back to the Cretaceous period, provide a rare glimpse into the early evolution of these remarkable insects.
The findings, published in the journal region’>Holarctic and Click Here
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![Click Here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental<em>region’>Oriental regions</a>. The two new fossil genera, <b>Protodeuterophlebia</b> and <b>Cretodeuterophlebia</b>, date back to the mid-Cretaceous, approximately 100 million years ago, significantly extending the known history of this unique family of dipterans.</p>
<p><h3>Revealing the Evolutionary Adaptations of Mountain Midges</h3>
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<p>The fossil specimens provide valuable insights into the early stages of the distinctive features that characterize modern Deuterophlebiidae. While the recent adults have an exceptionally brief lifespan, with males surviving only two hours, the fossils reveal the gradual development of their reduced mouthparts and intricate wing venation patterns.</p>
<p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://famefreq.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1729758001_41598_2024_75389_Fig1_HTML.png" alt="figure 1" class="wp-image-1" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fig. 1</figcaption></figure>
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<p>The two Cretaceous species exhibit varying degrees of these adaptations. <b>Protodeuterophlebia oosterbroeki</b> shows the early stages of false vein development in the wing, while <b>Cretodeuterophlebia courtneyi</b> displays a more advanced network of false veins, suggesting the gradual evolution of this unique venation pattern. Interestingly, the fossils also reveal that the Deuterophlebiidae were already well-adapted to life in fast-flowing, cold streams, with features like adhesive pads on their tarsi to cling to the rocky substrate.</p>
<p><h3>Unraveling the Phylogenetic Relationships</h3>
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<p>The discovery of these fossil mountain midges has also helped to clarify the long-standing debate surrounding the phylogenetic position of the Deuterophlebiidae within the broader Diptera (true fly) lineage. Previous studies had suggested a basal or even sister-group relationship to the remaining Diptera, but the lack of fossil evidence made it difficult to establish their evolutionary relationships.</p>
<p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://famefreq.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1729758007_41598_2024_75389_Fig2_HTML.png" alt="figure 2" class="wp-image-2" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fig. 2</figcaption></figure>
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<p>The researchers conducted a phylogenetic analysis that incorporated the new fossil taxa, as well as other ancient Diptera families. The results indicate that the Deuterophlebiidae are closely related to the extinct <b>Hennigmatidae</b>, a family that dates back to the Triassic period. This suggests that the Deuterophlebiidae branched off from the main Diptera lineage at a very early stage, highlighting their evolutionary significance.</p>
<p><h3>A Rare Glimpse into the Cretaceous Ecosystem</h3>
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<p>One of the most remarkable aspects of the fossil discovery is the presence of a <b>mayfly</b> wing embedded in the same piece of Burmese amber as one of the deuterophlebiid specimens. This “syninclusion” suggests that these two short-lived insects shared the same flight period, a remarkable synchrony that is extremely rare to observe in the fossil record.</p>
<p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://famefreq.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1729758014_41598_2024_75389_Fig3_HTML.png" alt="figure 3" class="wp-image-3" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fig. 3</figcaption></figure>
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<p>The co-occurrence of the mountain midge and the mayfly provides a unique window into the Cretaceous ecosystem, where these delicate, ephemeral creatures coexisted and likely played important roles in the aquatic food web. This finding underscores the significance of these fossil inclusions in unveiling the intricate details of ancient environments and the evolutionary adaptations of their inhabitants.</p>
<p><h3>Implications and Future Directions</h3>
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<p>The discovery of the first fossil Deuterophlebiidae not only expands our understanding of the family’s evolutionary history but also has broader implications for the study of Diptera. The fossils shed light on the early stages of the distinctive features that set the Deuterophlebiidae apart from other fly families, such as their reduced mouthparts and intricate wing venation.</p>
<p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://famefreq.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1729758019_41598_2024_75389_Fig4_HTML.png" alt="figure 4" class="wp-image-4" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fig. 4</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Furthermore, the close relationship between the Deuterophlebiidae and the Hennigmatidae, an extinct family, suggests that exploring more ancient Diptera lineages could yield valuable insights into the diversification and adaptations of this important insect order. As researchers continue to uncover and study these rare fossil inclusions, we can expect to gain a deeper appreciation for the evolutionary resilience and ecological significance of the mountain midges and their ancient relatives.</p>
<p>Author credit: This article is based on research by Ewa Krzemińska, Agnieszka Soszyńska, Iwona Kania-Kłosok, Kornelia Skibińska, Katarzyna Kopeć, Thomas van de Kamp, Qingqing Zhang, Wiesław Krzemiński.</p>
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