Arthropoda as Proxies of Paleoenvironmental Conditions

Arthropods are considered reliable proxies for paleoenvironmental conditions. Their particular requirements allow the stablishment of their habitats in the past. Several fossilized specimens of Araneae (including Acari), Crustacea, and Insecta (like Coleoptera and Chironomidae) have been reported in Mexico, ranging from the Cretaceous to the Holocene, with considerable gaps in their record. However, it is plausible that unexplored deposits throughout the Mexican territory still contain arthropod specimens. The fossil record of Crustacea in Mexico is more diverse and abundant than any other group of Arthropoda. The most notable source of Mexican fossil insects is the Miocene amber mines of Chiapas, southern Mexico.