These highly modified bugs are adapted for survival in termite nests, A single representative has been reported in Mexican amber, family Termitaphididae, genus, Termitaradus, species protera. This is a true bug, Hemiptera. I cannot guarentee that this is a new species, but it would not surprise me. The level of detail on this specimen is spectacular. Normally you cannot see legs since they are normally flttened to the body - but here you can see them!
Baltic amber makes wonderful jewelry. We have had professionals work with some of the better pieces and have them displayed for you now. You will enjoy the trip of 40 million years ago.
Probably one of the most unusual pieces of amber from the Dominican Republic that I have ever seen. Most of the bubbles inside this 20 million year old piece are black. My suspicions are that this is from debris from the forest floor. They are located on different planes inside the resin. What an effect! The piece if about 2.5 x 1.5 x .3 inches in size and about 10.8 grams. This is what I consider a museum piece. On a practical aspect, this would make the most unusual and perfect pendant I have ever seen.
A very good friend of mine, John Fudala just had
another insect named after him: Trichomyia fudalai.
Here is a link to the paper on the Psychodidae
that was named after John. John and I often
travel to the Dominican Republic (and other places)
in search of fossils.
Now this is cool: Scientists have exhumed the body of Gregory Mendell and are using it for DNA studies. Also DNA sequencing!
Jorge Caridad
Above: Picture of Doug Lundberg and Jorge Caridad in a fossil shop, Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Caridad is the owner of the Amber World Museum in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Picture above: Wolfgang Weitschat, Kazimieras Mizgiris and Doug Lundberg
Join the AMBER list:There now is a discussion group devoted to the study of amber. The intent of this discussion is public discourse on amber formation, types, general questions, almost anything that relates to amber. Also encouraged on this discussion group will be questions on jewelry making, and web sites about amber. The discussion group is not moderated. This means that all postings will go through without moderation (no one will censor them.) This is an international group, covering just about any country you can imagine (some of which I have never heard of!) Most people just watch and listen to the discussions that go on. You are encouraged to participate, but certainly do not need to. Click here Join the AMBER list This discussion group was formed and is maintained by Doug Lundberg. His e-mail address is lundberg@ambericawest.com. All questions about the discussion group should be directed to him. Short article in the International Amber Association's magazine "Bursztynisko, the AMBER MAGAZINE" |
Scientific American, February 2020, had a picture showing the land continents with major ‘discoveries’ (page 20). One arrow pointed to Brazil and under that, it said:
“Despite the long dry spells in Brazil’s Caatinga region, scientists found the tree Hymenaea cangaceira drizzles copious nectar from flowers to attract pollinating bats: a full-sized tree can release 240 gallons of the stuff, with 38 distinct scent compounds, over a single dry season.”
Here is the reason for this inclusion on this amber page. Hymenaea is the tree in New Zealand that produces copious amounts of resin that is called ‘kauri gum’. Not sure about this relationship, but if I am a betting person (I am), I would put money that there is a direct relationship between the flowers and resin production.
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Article from Science News about "Spider moms have been caring for their young for a long time."
Amberica West just sold the largest piece of amber in the world to the Amber Museum in Poland (68 Kg):
A View from Amberica West
You can see Pikes Peak in the background and the
United States Air Force Academy somewhere near the middle.
