Geometric morphometric analyses of Micropterigidae lineages (Lepidoptera) with two new species from mid-Cretaceous amber of northern Myanmar

Abstract

A new genus with two new species of Micropterigidae, Terncladus lunatus Han, Zhang et Ren gen. et sp. nov. and Terncladus halonatus Han, Zhang et Ren sp. nov., are erected based on three well-preserved specimens in Late Cretaceous Kachin amber. The new genus can be identified by hind wing with veins Sc unforked, no trace of free R, and Rs three-branched. Furthermore, we applied Geometric Morphometric Analyses (GMA) to study 26 species with well-preserved forewings of Micropterigidae and presented the results for the first time. The GMA results confirmed the classification of the new genus and shed light on the differences and diagnoses of the five monophyletic lineages of Micropterigidae. By comparing the geographical distribution and climatic environment characteristics of Micropterigidae in different geological periods, Micropterigidae have a relatively conservative adaptability to the environment during the evolutionary process.