Amber contains the oldest cockroach fossils

Paleontologists discovered two completely new ancient cockroaches preserved nearly intact inside the amber.

The specimens, named Crenocticola svadba and Mulleriblattina bowangi , were found in a cave in the Hukawng valley, north of Myanmar. Both date back to the Cretaceous about 99 million years ago, the same time as the dinosaurs. They have some common characteristics with modern cave cockroaches such as eyes and small wings, pale body, limbs and long antennae.

Fossils of 99 million year old cave cockroaches in Myanmar.(Photo: Live Science).

"The cave environment is very suitable for the formation of fossils," the team said. "However, the fossil record is primarily composed of mammals such as rodents, ungulates, marsupials, cats, dogs, hyenas, primates and humans."

Most cave cockroach fossils are found in the Great New Born (starting from 66 million years ago). Based on genetic analysis, scientists have long suspected their existence in the Cretaceous but there is no solid evidence. The specimen in the Hukawng Valley is the oldest cave cockroach fossil ever known.

The team is not sure how the fossilized samples inside amber. One theory is that the sap from the roots may have dripped into the cave of cockroaches and then harden, wrapping around insects.

The research, conducted by international scientists from Slovakia, China, Russia and Thailand, was published in the online journal Gondwana Research in February.

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