Scientists uncover ancient insects preserved in amber for the first time in South America

In Ecuador, researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery of prehistoric insects trapped in amber, dating back 112 million years. This revelation marks the first time such findings have occurred in South America, an area that was previously part of the supercontinent Gondwana. The specimens were found at a sandstone quarry, which is on the edge of today's Amazon basin. The preservation of insects in amber provides critical insights into ancient life on Earth during a period of significant diversification in flowering plants. Before this discovery, almost all known amber deposits from the last 130 million years were located in the Northern Hemisphere. The scarcity of amber in southern regions had led to ongoing scientific enigmas. The identified insects include ancient beetles, flies, ants, and wasps, providing researchers like Fabiany Herrera from the Field Museum a unique opportunity to study interactions between flowering plants and insects during the time of dinosaurs. According to Ricardo Pérez-de la Fuente, a paleoentomologist, these amber pieces serve as little windows into the past. The research team unearthed hundreds of amber fragments, some containing not only insects but also pollen and tree leaves. Notably, the amber was found in two different types: a common type around the roots of resin-producing plants and a rarer form formed from resin exposed to air. While the more basic amber did not preserve any specimens, the research highlights the existence of an ancient humid, resinous forest ecosystem likely different from today's Amazon rainforest. The ancient environment supported species of ferns and conifers, including the Monkey Puzzle Tree, which no longer thrives in modern Amazonia. The deposits at the Genoveva quarry had been recognized by geologists and miners for some time, but further exploration led to these remarkable finds. The study's lead author, Carlos Jaramillo from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, emphasized the importance of his fieldwork and the potential of this location for further discoveries. Future research aims to deepen understanding of Cretaceous-era biodiversity and the crucial relationships established between insects and flowering plants, marking one of the most successful partnerships in nature.