Researchers from the University of Grenada have found a unique specimen of a well-preserved insect in a piece
Amber provides excellent preservationsamples, scientists note, and its transparency allows you to consider insects in all details. But even inside amber, it is difficult to unambiguously determine the small details that allow us to classify different types of animals.
Micro-CT of Calliarcys antiquus. Image: University of Granada
In their study, the researchers usedmicrocomputed tomography to obtain detailed, high-resolution images of the internal and external structures of insects. Micro-CT is a 3D imaging technique using X-rays. It resembles the technology of classical CT, which is widely used in medicine, but works on a smaller scale and at a much higher resolution. While CT provides resolution measured in millimeters, micro-CT takes images with a resolution of about 0.5 microns.
Calliarcys antiquus. Image: University of Granada
Based on the obtained images, scientists were able toidentify areas that would otherwise be impossible to observe. The researchers found that the specimen found belongs to the genus Calliarcys from the order of mayflies, ancient winged insects. At the same time, as shown by a molecular study, the species itself is unique and has never been discovered before.
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