Electroblemma bifid: A Bizarre ARMORED Spider in Amber From Cenomanian Cretaceous Myanmar

A bizarre armoured spider (Araneae: Tetrablemmidae) from Upper Cretaceous Myanmar amber

Authors:

Selden et al

Abstract:

A new genus and species of tetrablemmid spider, Electroblemma bifida n. gen. et sp., is described, from two adult males found in Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) amber of Myanmar. The genus is distinguished by its enormous dorsal carapace projection and highly modified chelicerae. The new genus is referred to the tribe Tetrablemmini within the subfamily Tetrablemminae. The presence of a relatively derived tetrablemmid on the south-east Eurasian continent during the Late Cretaceous suggests that the family was already well diversified in tropical rainforests at this time.