Fossil insects from the Late Oligocene Enspel Lagerstätte and their palaeobiogeographic and palaeoclimatic significance

Abstract

Fossil insects can provide unique insights into evolutionary history, and their study has become increasingly important in recent decades. In this paper, we give an overview of the insect taphocoenosis from the upper Oligocene Enspel Lagerstätte (Germany) and discuss taphonomic similarities with other localities. Among the fossil insects identified, terrestrial groups are highly dominant, with march flies (Bibionidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) being the most common groups; aquatic insects are rare. We provide a detailed survey of the represented taxa, including new records of a predaceous diving beetle (Dytiscidae), a soldier beetle (Cantharidae) and mayfly larvae (Ephemeroptera). Updated information on the ants (Formicidae) and reticulated beetles (Cupedidae) is reported. The palaeoclimatic and palaeobiogeographic inferences that can be drawn from the represented groups are discussed. Studies on the insects from Enspel indicate a warm temperate climate. Several records document that the distribution of many insect groups in the Oligocene was distinctly wider than it is today. © 2009 Senckenberg, Gesellschaft für Naturforschung and Springer.