Burmite with Schizomid Inclusion. Burmite. Cretaceous. Hukawng Valley, Myitkyina District, Kachin State, Myanmar...

Description

Burmite with Schizomid Inclusion
Burmite
Cretaceous
Hukawng Valley, Myitkyina District, Kachin State, Myanmar
0.80 x 0.48 x 0.11 inches (2.03 x 1.21 x 0.27 cm)

This fascinating arachnid belongs to the group known as Schizomids, often nicknamed "sprickets" for their uncanny blend of spider and cricket-like traits. Small and elusive, these ancient hunters once prowled through leaf litter and narrow crevices, relying entirely on touch and scent in the absence of sight. Their elongated forelegs functioned like antennae, probing the darkness for prey, while their hind legs allowed for agile leaps reminiscent of crickets. Molecular studies trace the origins of the Schizomids to the Carboniferous Period, marking them as one of the oldest and most enduring arachnid lineages. This remarkable fossil weighs 0.40 grams and preserves a representative of a lineage that has survived, nearly unchanged, for over 300 million years!

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