In a groundbreaking discovery, Chinese researchers have unveiled the mating behaviors of ancient water striders preserved in amber, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of insects from the mid-Cretaceous period, approximately 100 million years ago.
The study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B on April 3, showcases the first fossil record of water striders engaged in copulation from northern Myanmar. Led by Professor Huang Diying from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the research team analyzed a remarkable specimen containing seven adult water striders and four nymphs trapped in amber.
Among the preserved insects, two pairs were found in the act of mating, with smaller males observed riding on the backs of females. This rare capture of copulating aquatic insects provides invaluable insights into the evolution of mating strategies and sexual dynamics in ancient ecosystems.
Microscopic examinations revealed distinct differences between the front legs of males and females. Male water striders possessed a slightly curved protibia with a comb-like structure, likely an adaptation for grasping females during mating struggles. This specialized morphology suggests that males employed contact guarding strategies to prolong mating and reduce sperm competition.
Professor Huang emphasized that fossilized mating insects are essential for understanding the deep-time evolution of insect behaviors. Fu Yanzhe, a team member, speculated that the small-sized males were non-territorial, indicating a high population density in the Myanmar amber forest.
The findings not only deepen our comprehension of insect evolution but also have potential applications in the development of biomimetic technologies inspired by the specialized movements and structures of ancient water striders.
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Chinese researchers reveal mating dynamics of ancient insects in amber
cgtn.com
