Reconstruction of the Early Cretaceous <em>Darwinylus marcosi</em> Beetle (IMAGE)

Smithsonian

Reconstruction of the Early Cretaceous <em>Darwinylus marcosi</em> Beetle

Caption

Reconstruction of the Early Cretaceous Darwinylus marcosi beetle on a gymnosperm host. Based on the pollen grains found in the amber with the beetle, scientists believe that the beetle was closely associated with cycads -- an ancient gymnosperm group of plants that have living relatives today throughout the warmer parts of the world. Modern cycads are commonly confused with palms due to their roughly similar appearance, though relatively distant evolutionary relationship.

Credit

Courtesy of Enrique Peñalver (Museo Geominero, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Madrid, Spain).

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