In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have found a previously unknown species of tick from the Cretaceous period preserved in amber. The perfectly preserved spider-like creature is believed to have fed on the blood of dinosaurs. The one-and-a-half-millimeter tick, named Amblyomma birmitum, was found in a 100-million-year-old amber and is the oldest known species of the tick family, which still exists today with over 130 species. The tick is a shield tick, which typically feeds on reptiles. The researchers believe that the tick likely fed on the blood of dinosaurs during the Cretaceous period.
According to Lidia Chitimia-Dobler, a tick specialist at the Institute of Microbiology of the Bundeswehr in Munich, the tick likely fed on the blood of various dinosaurs. However, the possibility of a Jurassic Park scenario is unlikely as a DNA analysis of the blood the tick consumed during its lifetime is no longer possible after such a long time. The discovery of this ancient tick sheds light on the evolution of ticks and their feeding habits, providing valuable insights into the prehistoric world.
This discovery is a significant breakthrough in the field of paleontology and provides a glimpse into the world of dinosaurs and their ecosystem. The perfectly preserved tick provides valuable information about the feeding habits of these ancient creatures and their interactions with other species. The discovery of this ancient tick is a testament to the importance of preserving fossils and amber, which can provide valuable insights into the past and help us understand the evolution of life on Earth.
