New data on embiids (Insecta: Embiodea) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, with description of new genus and two new species

One new genus and two new species (Gnethoda putshkovi sp. nov. and Parasorellembia groehni gen. et sp. nov.) of webspinners (Embiodea) are described from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (ca. 99 Ma). Detailed morphological descriptions of the new taxa are given. The diagnoses of the subfamily Gnethodinae, the genus Gnethoda and subfamily Sorellembiinae are specified. Gnethodaputshkovi sp. nov. is characterized by plesiomorphic characters such as the postocular carinae, absence of gula and probably developed ocelli. Parasorellembia groehni gen. et sp. nov. is characterized by a specialized abdominal apex, in addition to such a plesiomorphic character as the presence of ocelli. Some aspects of morphology and origin of gula in webspinners are briefly discussed. Seven of the nine Burmese amber webspinner species are very small; we hypothesize that this was likely related to the abundance and dominance of enantiornithine birds in the Burmese amber forest.