Upper-Cretaceous Siberian and Canadian Amber Caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera)

Abstract

From Upper-Cretaceous amber discovered in Canada (Alberta) and in Siberia (Taymyr), 10 species of Trichoptera are recognized. One of them belongs to the recent genus Rhyacophila , one probably to the recent genus Holocentropus ; the following new genera are described: Palaeohydrobiosis (Hydrobiosidae), Electralberta (type of the new family Electralbertidae), Archaeopolycentra (Polycentropodidae), Taymyrelectron (type of the new family Taymyrelectronidae), Praeathripsodes (Leptoceridae), Calamodontus (Calamoceratidae or Odontoceridae). One specimen is a philopotamid, and one an incertae sedis member of the Hydropsychoidea. These records represent a considerable enrichment of our knowledge of the Cretaceous caddisfly fauna, practically unknown until now. Phylogenetical, biogeographical and other conclusions are drawn from the study of these fossils and of their Recent and Eocene-Oligocene relatives.