Protostephanus

Pro-to-stef-ah-nus.
By Claire Morris
Published on

Claire Morris

Marine Paleontologist

Claire Morris has dedicated her career to exploring the depths of prehistoric oceans. Her fascination with ancient marine life has led her to discover significant fossils that illuminate the evolution of early sea creatures.

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Morris, C. (2012, December 14). Protostephanus. Prehistoric-wildlife. https://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/protostephanus/

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Name

Protostephanus ‭(‬first Stephanus‭)‬.

Phonetic

Pro-to-stef-ah-nus.

Named By

T.‭ ‬D.‭ ‬A.‭ ‬Cockerell‭ ‬-‭ ‬1906.

Classification

Arthropoda,‭ ‬Insecta,‭ ‬Hymenoptera,‭ ‬Stephanidae.

Diet

Insectivore.

Species

P.‭ ‬ashmeadi‭

Size

9.5‭ ‬millimetres long.

Known locations

USA,‭ ‬Colorado‭ ‬-‭ ‬Florissant Formation.

Time Period

Priabonian of the Eocene.

Fossil representation

Partial remains of a female.

In Depth

       Protostephanus is a species of crown wasp that lived in North America during the late Eocene.‭ ‬The genus is based upon a partially preserved individual preserved in volcanic ash.‭ ‬This individual is speculated to be female to the presence of what seems to be a partially preserved ovipositor‭ (‬egg laying organ‭)‬.

Further Reading

-‭ ‬Fossil Hymenoptera from Florissant,‭ ‬Colorado.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology,‭ ‬Harvard College‭ ‬50‭(‬2‭)‬:33-58.‭ ‬-‭ ‬T.‭ ‬D.‭ ‬A.‭ ‬Cockerell‭ ‬-‭ ‬1906.

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