Prehistoric insects trapped in amber give ‘little windows’ into ancient life on Earth
Rare amber discovery unlocks secrets of dinosaur-era life
- Prehistoric insects preserved in amber have been discovered in South America for the first time, offering a unique glimpse into an ancient ecosystem.
- The remarkable specimens, found in an Ecuadorian sandstone quarry, date back 112 million years, a period when flowering plants began to thrive globally.
- This discovery is particularly significant as nearly all previously known amber deposits from the last 130 million years originated in the Northern Hemisphere.
- The amber fragments contain ancient beetles, flies, ants, and wasps, along with pollen and tree leaves, providing crucial insights into the evolving relationship between insects and flowering plants during the age of dinosaurs.
- Researchers will continue to analyse the trove to understand Cretaceous-era biodiversity, including the distinct ancient rainforest composition which differed significantly from today's Amazon.