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Issue: Vol. 8 No. 2: April 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-04-29
DOI: 10.11646/palaeoentomology.8.2.5
Page range: 147-156
Abstract views: 7
PDF downloaded: 0

Ichnotaxonomy of new boring taxa: linking insect activity and fossil resins formation

University of Gdańsk, Laboratory of Evolutionary Entomology and Museum of Amber Inclusions, Faculty of Biology, 59 Wita Stwosza St., 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland
University of Gdańsk, Laboratory of Parasitology and General Zoology, Faculty of Biology, 59 Wita Stwosza St., 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland
University of Gdańsk, Laboratory of Evolutionary Entomology and Museum of Amber Inclusions, Faculty of Biology, 59 Wita Stwosza St., 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland
Baltic amber fossil resins succinite Talpinidae taphonomy xylite

Abstract

The fossil record reveals palaeoecological interactions between plants and insects. This study describes a singular conifer xylite specimen from the Baltic amber-bearing deposits, with preserved resin ducts and cylindrical insect borings designated as Bivium ichnogen. nov. with Bivium diluviandi ichnosp. nov. The borings, characterized by longitudinal tunnels connected by cross tunnels and chambers, were likely created by xylophagous beetles belonging to the family Curculionidae (subfamily Scolytinae). The associated resin production reflects an adaptive plant response to insect and fungal activity, evidenced by fungal hyphae preserved within the specimen. This work contributes to the knowledge of Baltic amber stratigraphy, and the formation of resin-bearing deposits, and shows, that the wood-boring insects may have been a cause, among others, of resin exudation.

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