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Issue: Vol. 9 No. 3: June 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-06-29
DOI: 10.11646/palaeoentomology.9.3.11
Page range: 288-297
Abstract views: 39
PDF downloaded: 2

A new species of the eudominant cockroach Perlucipecta Wei & Ren, 2013 and the role of its coloration in camouflage

Croatian Geological Survey; Sachsova 2; 10000 Zagreb; Croatia
Cretaceous amber cosmopolitan ovipositor fossil ecology

Abstract

The cosmopolitan cockroach genus Perlucipecta Wei & Ren, 2013 is one of the most common taxa within the extinct cockroach family Mesoblattinidae, with a high abundance of remains recorded from several localities around the world. Species within this genus exhibit distinctive coloration patterns on the pronotum and forewings, raising questions about the role of such coloration in predator deterrence. Although the genus is known worldwide, only two species have been discovered so far from the abundant Myanmar amber, including the new species described herein. Perlucipecta jedlickai sp. nov., a female specimen is described with characteristic forewing and pronotum coloration, alongside a remarkably well-preserved ovipositor, offering a view into the transitional cockroach reproduction strategy. The paleogeographical distribution of the genus is also discussed in light of its apparent ecological prominence in the fossil record.

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