The discovery of the first amber deposits in South America containing exquisitely preserved insects marks a groundbreaking milestone in paleontological research. Unearthed from a quarry in Ecuador, these deposits offer an unprecedented window into a 112-million-year-old ecosystem on the ancient supercontinent Gondwana, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of prehistoric biodiversity in the Southern Hemisphere. This remarkable finding, recently published in Communications Earth & Environment, holds the promise of illuminating an era and environment that has remained largely enigmatic due to the scarcity of fossilized evidence.
Amber, essentially fossilized tree resin, serves as a natural time capsule, preserving a vivid snapshot of ancient life with astounding fidelity. Though the earliest known amber samples date back about 320 million years, their occurrence surged notably during the Cretaceous period, which spanned roughly from 143 to 66 million years ago. This era is critical for understanding evolutionary and ecological dynamics because it witnessed major continental shifts, including the fragmentation of Gondwana into the landmasses we recognize today. Despite extensive studies of amber deposits in the Northern Hemisphere that have revealed detailed records of prehistoric flora and fauna, similar Southern Hemisphere deposits have been conspicuously absent—until now.
Dr. Xavier Delclòs and his research team undertook a meticulous analysis of amber samples collected from the Genoveva quarry in Ecuador, set within the Hollín Formation of the Oriente Basin. Their study reveals two distinct types of amber present at the site: subterranean amber, which formed underground near the roots of resin-producing plants, and aerial amber, which formed when resin exuded onto the surface and was exposed to the atmosphere. This distinction provides valuable insights into resin-producing ecosystems and resin deposition processes during the Early Cretaceous.
Among the 60 aerial amber specimens examined, the team identified 21 bio-inclusions comprising representatives from five major insect orders, such as Diptera (flies), Coleoptera (beetles), and Hymenoptera, which encompasses ants and wasps. Notably, alongside these insects, the preservation of a fragment of spider web was recorded—an extraordinary find that highlights the delicate nature of the fossilization process and the exceptional preservation conditions. This diversity of insect inclusions suggests a complex and interactive forest ecosystem dominated by resinous trees.
Beyond the amber itself, the surrounding sedimentary rock matrix yielded an array of fossilized plant material, including spores and pollen grains. These botanical remains contribute crucial contextual information about the forest’s composition and climatic conditions during the Cretaceous period. The presence of abundant spores and pollen aligns with the hypothesis that the region supported a humid, densely vegetated environment, consistent with tropical to subtropical forest biomes.
The geological dating of the amber places it at approximately 112 million years old, situating it firmly within the mid-Early Cretaceous epoch. This precisely timed snapshot provides researchers with a direct link to the evolutionary history of Gondwana’s flora and fauna as the supercontinent underwent significant fragmentation. Such timing is pivotal for reconstructing biogeographical patterns and ecosystem responses to tectonic and climatic shifts in deep time.
The discovery addresses a long-standing gap in our knowledge regarding Cretaceous biodiversity in the Southern Hemisphere. Previously, most amber deposits known to paleontologists originated from regions such as the Baltic area and Myanmar, which lie in the Northern Hemisphere. Consequently, scientific understanding of ancient ecosystems on Gondwana has been constrained by a lack of preserved biological records. This Ecuadorian amber deposit is poised to catalyze a broader reassessment of Southern Hemisphere paleoecology.
Dr. Delclòs and colleagues emphasize that the dual modes of amber formation observed—both subterranean and aerial—reflect distinct biological and taphonomic mechanisms operating within the ancient forest. Subterranean amber, forming around plant roots, might capture a different subset of biological material and environmental conditions compared to aerial amber, which traps organisms that lived above ground or were airborne. This duality enriches the paleobiological dataset and offers multiple perspectives on ecosystem dynamics.
The preserved insects trapped in amber are not only taxonomically diverse but also ecologically informative. For example, the presence of Hymenoptera could indicate interactions involving pollination or predation, shedding light on early evolutionary relationships that shaped modern insect communities. Similarly, beetles and flies represent key decomposers and pollinators, roles fundamental to forest ecosystem function—a testament to the complexity of these ancient habitats.
Examining the paleobotanical assemblage alongside the insect inclusions allows for a holistic reconstruction of the forest structure and climate. The dominance of resin-producing trees inferred from the nature of the amber suggests the prevalence of conifers or other gymnosperm taxa, which were the primary resinsources during the Early Cretaceous. This reveals a forest environment unlike the angiosperm-dominated landscapes that would flourish later in the Cretaceous and Cenozoic eras.
The research underscores the significance of multidisciplinary approaches combining paleontology, geology, and geochemistry to unravel the narratives embedded within fossil resins. Techniques such as radiometric dating, microscopy, and chemical analyses of amber and inclusions collectively build a comprehensive picture of the ancient ecosystem and resin formation processes. Future studies leveraging these methods could unearth further hidden biodiversity and ecological complexity.
Crucially, this discovery holds global significance beyond South America. By filling a key geographical and temporal gap, it enables comparative studies with other Cretaceous amber sites worldwide, enhancing our understanding of planet-wide biotic patterns and environmental changes. It challenges longstanding assumptions about the distribution of resin-producing forests and the global spread of insect lineages during critical evolutionary intervals.
In conclusion, the identification of these Early Cretaceous amber deposits in Ecuador transforms our perspective on Gondwanan forests and their inhabitants. It opens a crucial gateway for investigating the ecological histories of southern continents, revealing intricate webs of life preserved in fossilized resin. As research continues to probe these remarkable samples, we can anticipate profound insights into the ancient biosphere that once thrived in South America, shedding light on the evolutionary processes that have shaped biodiversity over millions of years.
Subject of Research: Cretaceous amber deposits in Ecuador revealing ancient South American Gondwanan forest ecosystems.
Article Title: Cretaceous amber of Ecuador unveils new insights into South America’s Gondwanan forests
News Publication Date: 18-Sep-2025
Web References: 10.1038/s43247-025-02625-2
References: See Communications Earth & Environment journal article linked via DOI.
Keywords: Cretaceous amber, Gondwana, Ecuador, fossil insects, paleobiology, resin formation, Early Cretaceous, paleoecology, fossilized tree resin, biodiversity, insect orders, tropical forest ecosystem
