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Ancient Flies Caught in the Bone Zone

Mating flies found in 41-million-year-old amber.
Mating flies found in 41-million-year-old amber. Image: Jeffrey Stillwell

Some 41 million years ago, during the Late Middle Eocene, a pair of long-legged flies (Dolichopodidae) were getting it on when a drop of tree resin ruined their fun. Paleontologists believe it’s the first example of “frozen behavior” in the Australian fossil record, as most amber fossils are found in the Northern Hemisphere.

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