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50 million-year-old fossil assassin bug has unusually well-preserved genitalia
The fossilized insect is tiny and its genital capsule, called a pygophore, is roughly the length of a grain of rice. It is remarkable, scientists say, because the bug’s physical characteristics – from the bold banding pattern on its legs to the internal features of its genitalia – are clearly visible and well-preserved. Recovered from the Green River Formation in present-day Colorado, the fossil represents a new genus and species of predatory insects known as assassin bugs.
The find is reported in the journal Papers in Palaeontology.
Discovered in 2006 by breaking open a slab of rock, the fossilized bug split almost perfectly from head to abdomen. The fracture also cracked the pygophore in two. A fossil dealer later sold each half to a different collector, and the researchers tracked them down and reunited them for this study.
50-million-year-old assassin bug fossil features near-perfectly preserved genitalia
By (0) Recovered in Colorado, this fossil represents a new genus and species of predatory insects known as assassin bugs, which has been named Aphelicophontes danjuddi. Photo by Palaeontological Association
Jan. 20 (UPI) Paleontologists have recovered a 50-million-year-old assassin bug fossil featuring near-perfectly preserved genitalia, a rarity.
Though the ancient insect s pygophore, a genital capsule, is no bigger than a grain of rice, researchers were able to clearly see the genitalia s internal features.
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The prehistoric assassin bug s unique features, its pygophore and its banded legs, required scientists to name a new genus and species for the bug s classification.
Scientist calls fossilized assassin bug private parts a rare treat
A stunningly well-preserved 50-million-year-old fossil is giving insights into insect history. Listen - 01:28
Found in Colorado, this fossil is a species now called Aphelicophontes danjuddi. A small beetle also appears with the larger assassin bug. Daniel Swanson/Palaeontological Association
Perhaps the phrase should be snug as a bug in a rock.
University of Illinois entomology graduate student Daniel Swanson was able to see the intimate details of an assassin bug s genitalia in a 50-million-year-old fossil. The genital capsule is as small as a grain of rice, but it s revealed its secrets after all this time.