A diverse Cenozoic insect assemblage in Thailand

ABSTRACT

In Western Thailand, Miocene shales from Wang Kaew, in the Mae Sot basin, have yielded a diverse insect assemblage comprising 115 articulated specimens. In this preliminary review, 15 subcomplete specimens are studied and referred to at least eight forms belonging to five orders (Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Orthoptera, and Hemiptera). Coleoptera are represented by very nicely preserved specimens of weevils (Curculionidae). Diptera are known by three different taxa referred to Bibionidae, Sciaridae and Brachycera. Hymenoptera are known by representatives of Vespidae and Formicidae. Orthoptera are represented by a single specimen of uncertain affinities and Hemiptera by one Gerrinae. This insect assemblage is the most complete ever reported in Southeast Asia during the Cenozoic.

KEYWORDS:

• Fossil insects
• Mae Sot Basin
• Miocene
• Thailand

Acknowledgments

Authors are thankful to Sonja Wedmann (Senckenberg Forschungsstation Grube Messel, Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Frankfurt/M, Messel, Germany), Weeyawat Jaitrong, Tadsanai Jeenthong (Natural History Museum of the National Science Museum, Thailand) Nareerat Boonchai (Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, USA) for their fruitful discussions, Kantanat Trakunweerayut (Mahidol University Kanchanaburi Campus) for map preparation and all people in Palaeontological Research and Education Centre. The quality of the manuscript has been greatly improved by the comments of three anonymous reviewers. B.K. is grateful to the Fondation Ars Cuttolli, Paul Appell for its support. This research project was financially supported by Mahasarakham University.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Mahasarakham University Grant Fast Track 6607038