Stone
Centipede
Phylum
Arthropoda,
Subphylum Myriapoda, Class Chilopoda, Order Lithobiomorpha, Family
Lithobiidae
Geological
Time: Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian Stage (~100 million years ago)
Size (25.4mm
= 1 inch): Amber: 20 mm long , 13 mm across , Inclusion: 9 mm (with
antennae)
Fossil Site:
Hukawng Valley, Kachin State, Myanmar
Code: MYA03
Price: Sold
|  Description:
This plaque of amber displays a most uncommon inclusion: a stone
centipede, Order Lithobiomorpha. The oldest amber containing
insects comes from the deposits of Lebanon at some 135 million
years of age. Deposits in Myanmar, New Jersey, and Japan are
somewhat younger. Centipedes go back to the late Silurian some
430 million years ago, and were the first terrestrial fossils.
Upon hatching, extant members of this order start out with seven
pairs of legs adding another pair as they grow until a full complement
of 15 pairs is achieved. Interestingly enough, centipedes always
have an odd pair of legs. This fine example is easily seen to
the naked eye, but you will want to use a 10X loupe or microscope
to see the incredible detail preserved.
Reference:
AMNH Novitates, No. 3361, Mar 26, 2002.
Also
see: Cretaceous
Jersimantis luzzii praying mantis in amber from New Jersey and Cretaceous
Praying Mantis in Fossil Amber from Hukawng Valley and Cricket
in Cretaceous Amber |
|
