Amber, fossilised plant resin, is a fossiliferous material with unique properties that has fascinated humanity since prehistoric times. Amber does not become abundant until the Early Cretaceous, coinciding with a global warming period that promoted the resin production in different groups of conifers. Cretaceous amber is usually found in mudstones or sandstones related to delta-estuarine deposits, and it is often associated with charcoal and other plant matter. From the palaeontological standpoint, what makes amber special is that it offers an unmatched quality of preservation, and provides direct evidence on behaviours and interactions between organisms as the resin captured small portions of the palaeoecosystem almost instantly. This talk will showcase how amber is gathered in the field and how its inclusions are prepared and studied in the laboratory through both classic and modern techniques. The study of Cretaceous amber and the bioinclusions preserved within provide valuable taxonomic, evolutionary, taphonomic, and palaeoecological data, such as on host-parasite or pollination relationships.

Dr Pérez-de la Fuente’s research focuses on the palaeobiology of fossil arthropods, namely insects and arachnids. Although founded on morphology and systematics, his work is aimed at extracting palaeoecological, palaeoethological, palaeobiogeographical and taphonomic data. Special emphasis is put on the study of amber inclusions, particularly those from the Cretaceous, one of the most important periods for the diversification of terrestrial arthropods, linked with the radiation of flowering plants. Particular research interests encompass the early evolution of defensive (e.g. camouflage) adaptations, pollinating relationships and blood-feeding parasite-host interactions.

Image: Cantabroberotha soplaensis, beaded lacewing in Spanish amber. (copyright - J Preez de la Fuente)