Conostigmus lazaros, PEÑALVER & ENGEL, 2006

PEÑALVER, ENRIQUE & ENGEL, MICHAEL S, 2006, Two Wasp Families Rare in the Fossil Record (Hymenoptera): Perilampidae and Megaspilidae from the Miocene of Spain, American Museum Novitates 3540 (1), pp. 1-12 : 8-11

Genus Conostigmus Dahlbom

Conostigmus lazaros , new species figures 4a, 5a

DIAGNOSIS: The fossil species can be recognized by the following combination of features: compound eyes not greatly enlarged, not encompassing the majority of the head in profile (figs. 4a, 5a); elongate scape that is nearly as long as the head capsule; more quadrate funicular articles; distalmost flagellar articles slightly larger than those near base of flagellum; apical flagellomere greatly enlarged and elongate, with gently tapered and rounded apex (fig. 5a); absence of metanotal and propodeal armature; well-developed forewings but not surpassing metasomal apex (figs. 4a, 5a); Rs well defined and elongate but disappearing well before wing apex. Conostigmus lazaros can be further distinguished from C. chthonios , from the same deposit (see below), by its larger body size (approximately 1.94 mm in total length), shorter and more robust mesosoma, more elongate head, and more quadrate funicular articles (more elongate in C. chthonios ) (cf. figs. 4a-b, 5a-b).

DESCRIPTION: Female. Total body length 1.94 mm, forewing length ca. 1.19 mm. Integument of head and mesosoma largely dark brown to nearly black (fig. 4a); scape, pedicel, and first three flagellar articles light brown (as preserved), remainder of flagellum brown; metasomal sclerites dark brown proximally and dorsally, becoming progressively lighter until brown; preserved leg portions light brown. Head slightly elongate, with antennae articulating just below level of compound eyes; antenna geniculate; scape elongate, slightly shorter than head length, nearly as long as combined lengths of pedicel and first four flagellar articles; pedicel enlarged, distinctly longer than immediately successive flagellar articles; nine flagellar articles present (fig. 5a); funicular articles roughly quadrate; flagellum broadened slightly at apex, with distal flagellar articles slightly larger than proximal flagellar articles, apical flagellar article enlarged and elongate, with apex gently tapered and rounded. Compound eyes not greatly enlarged (not encompassing majority of lateral surface of head as in some modern and Baltic amber species) (figs. 4a, 5a). Mesosoma robust, broadly ovoid in profile; portion of deeply impressed notaulices evident on mesoscutum, apparently converging posteriorly toward midpoint on mesoscutum (complete view of this is not possible owing to the position of preservation); mesoscutellum apparently not greatly enlarged, relatively flat in lateral aspect, not elevated above mesonotal surface; metanotum and propodeum without distinct armature. Forewings well developed, not surpassing metasomal apex; pterostigma relatively short; Rs well developed, elongate, terminating at distance from wing margin greater than pterostigmal length; wing membrane hyaline, veins light brown. Metasoma slightly longer than combined lengths of head and mesosoma. Male. Unknown.

HOLOTYPE: Female, MPZ-97/2489; holotype in a small slab of oil shale with dimensions 9.0 X 7.2 cm. The same surface with the holotype also contains an isolated wing of a tipulomorph (no number), a thrips of the family Aeolothripidae (MPV-97/220, now as an isolated slide preparation), and ephippia of Daphnia and shells of ostracods. The consecutive microlevel, which is exposed in some areas, contains an adult chironomid ( Chironomini , RM-RR-53). The holotype is virtually complete and well preserved, having lost only some parts of the legs (some of the legs are overlapped under the mesosoma). The integument of the mesosoma partly preserves the sculpturing, and the wings preserve microtrichiae.

TYPE LOCALITY: Outcrop of Río Rubielos 2 (RR2) (see fig. 1). Early Miocene (Early Burdigalian) oil shales in Rubielos de Mora Basin, central Iberian Chain, Province of Teruel ( Spain).

ETYMOLOGY: The specific epithet is from the Greek and was a term generally applied to corpses, thereby referring to the fact that this is an extinct species. The name and term is a reference to the Biblical Lazarus (John 11), who died and was then brought back to life by Jesus, and is used here as an allusion to the fact that this species, although dead, has been brought back to ‘‘life’’ by its preservation and subsequent discovery.

Conostigmus chthonios , new species figures 4b, 5b–d

DIAGNOSIS: Refer to Diagnosis for C. lazaros (see above).

DESCRIPTION: Female. Total body length 1.34 mm, forewing length ca. 0.80 mm, width 0.31 mm. Integument of head and mesosoma largely dark brown to nearly black (fig. 4b); scape, pedicel, and first four or five flagellar articles light brown (as preserved), remainder of flagellum brown; metasomal sclerites dark brown proximally, becoming progressively lighter until brown; preserved leg portions light brown. Head globular, with antennae articulating at lower level of compound eyes; antenna geniculate; scape elongate, about as long as head length, nearly as long as combined lengths of pedicel and first four flagellar articles; pedicel enlarged, slightly longer than immediately successive flagellar articles; nine flagellar articles present (fig. 5b, d); funicular articles slightly longer than wide; flagellum broadened slightly at apex, with distal flagellar articles slightly larger than proximal flagellar articles, apical flagellar article enlarged and elongate, with apex gently tapered and rounded. Compound eyes not greatly enlarged (not encompassing majority of lateral surface of head) (fig. 5b). Mesosoma slender and elongate, narrowly ovoid in profile; mesoscutellum apparently not greatly enlarged, relatively flat in lateral aspect, not elevated above mesonotal surface; metanotum and propodeum without distinct armature. Forewings well developed, not surpassing metasomal apex (fig. 5b); pterostigma relatively short; Rs well developed, elongate, terminating at distance from wing margin greater than pterostigmal length (fig. 5c); wing membrane hyaline, veins light brown. Metasoma slightly longer than combined lengths of head and mesosoma; first tergum somewhat constricted anteriorly, with strong longitudinal striations at junction with propodeum (fig. 5b). Male. Unknown.

HOLOTYPE: Female, MPV-357- RM; holotype in a small slab of oil shale with dimensions of 3.5 X 3.2 cm. The same surface with the holotype also contains a pupal exuvium of the family Chironomidae (MPV- 777- RM) and ostracod shells. The holotype is incomplete, having lost three of the wings and some portions of the legs (some of the legs are covered by an ostracod shell). Integumental sculpturing is not preserved, but microtrichiae are still discernable on the wing (fig. 5c).

TYPE LOCALITY: Outcrop of Río Rubielos ( RR), without more precise information about the point of sampling. Early Miocene (Early Burdigalian) oil shales in Rubielos de Mora Basin, central Iberian Chain, Province of Teruel ( Spain).

ETYMOLOGY: The specific epithet is from the Greek and means ‘‘in the Earth,’’ or ‘‘pertaining to the nether world,’’ and is a reference to the fact that the species is known only as a compression fossil.