A Time Capsule from the Cretaceous North Meets the Southern Hemisphere
In a breakthrough that broadens our view of ancient ecosystems, scientists have uncovered a 112-million-year-old amber time capsule in Ecuador. This exceptional find sheds light on life in the Southern Hemisphere during a pivotal era when continents were drifting apart from the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. The discovery centers on amber from the Hollín Formation, a sedimentary layer spanning Ecuador’s Oriente Basin, dated to roughly 112 million years ago in the Cretaceous period.
Amber, fossilized tree resin, has long been a treasure trove for paleontologists. While resin droplets are relatively common in some periods, the chance to examine detailed bio-inclusions—trapped fossils of plants and animals—offers a rare window into ecosystems that often vanish from the fossil record. This latest work by Xavier Delclòs and his team marks a landmark in Southern Hemisphere paleobiology.
Two Amber Types, Two Windows into the Past
The researchers analyzed 60 samples of the open-air amber, distinguishing a second, underground variety formed near resin-producing tree roots. Among these, 21 bio-inclusions were identified, spanning five major insect orders. The inclusions include Diptera (flies), Coleoptera (beetles), and Hymenoptera (ants, wasps, and related insects). A fragment of spider silk or web was also recovered, providing a glimpse into predator–prey dynamics within these ancient forests. The surrounding rock matrix contributed further context with spores, pollen, and other botanical traces, painting a fuller picture of the ecosystem.
What the Finds Tell Us About Gondwanan Forests
The team’s interpretation points to a warm, humid forest with dense vegetation that supported resin-producing trees, the very source of the amber. The presence of diverse insect orders in the resin suggests a complex, interdependent ecosystem where pollination, predation, and decomposition followed patterns similar to modern tropical forests, albeit in a much different continental arrangement. The discovery is particularly valuable because it expands our knowledge of life in the mid-Cretaceous Southern Hemisphere, an area once poorly represented in amber records compared with the Northern Hemisphere.
These fossil inclusions also help scientists understand how insects colonized and thrived in Gondwana’s southern climates. The variations between the underground and open-air amber likely reflect microhabitat differences, such as resin produced at soil level versus resin released in the capped canopy. The overall picture is one of vibrant biological activity and intricate ecological relationships that persisted across millions of years.
Implications for Paleobiology and Global Biodiversity
Beyond cataloging exotic species, this find provides critical data for reconstructing ancient climate, flora, and faunal interactions. The preserved insects, in particular, offer clues about ancient food webs, pollination strategies, and evolutionary trajectories that are otherwise difficult to infer from bones or leaves alone. By situating these insects within their plant-rich resin habitats, researchers gain a more nuanced understanding of how biodiversity responded to the shifting geographies of Gondwana in the Cretaceous.
As scientists continue to study the Hollín Formation and related sedimentary layers, this discovery could help bridge gaps in our knowledge about how Southern Hemisphere ecosystems functioned during key moments of Earth’s history. The 112-million-year time capsule thus becomes more than a curiosity; it’s a pivotal reference point for comparing ancient life across hemispheres and continents.
Looking Ahead
Future work will likely involve more precise dating, chemical analysis of the resin, and attempts to extract additional bio-inclusions from both underground and open-air amber. The Ecuadorian find also invites renewed exploration of other Southern Hemisphere amber deposits that may hold similar, whether they’re in coastal basins, inland forests, or other sedimentary rocks from the Cretaceous.
In sum, the 112-million-year-old amber from Ecuador’s Hollín Formation offers a richly detailed snapshot of a warm, resinous forest ecosystem in southern Gondwana. It is a reminder that every drop of amber can carry more than a moment frozen in time—it can carry a whole world of life waiting to be understood.
