The wing venation of a new fossil species, reconstructed using geometric morphometrics, adds to the rare fossil record of Triassic Gondwanian Odonata. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deregnaucourt, Isabelle; Bardin, Jérémie; Anderson, John M.; Béthoux, Olivier
• Is Part Of: Arthropod structure & development. Volume 63(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Wing venation -- Molteno formation -- Stem-odonata -- Reconstruction; Arthropoda -- Morphology -- Periodicals; Arthropoda -- Anatomy -- Periodicals; Arthropoda -- Cytology -- Periodicals; Arthropods -- growth & development -- Periodicals; 595
• DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2021.101056
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1467-8039

Abstract

Abstract: Probably the most common rock-imprint fossil-insect remain is an incomplete isolated wing. This pitfall has been traditionally addressed by manually reconstructing missing parts, which is not ideal to comprehend long-term evolutionary trends in the group, in particular for morphological diversity (i.e., disparity) approaches. Herein we describe a new Triassic relative of dragon- and damselflies (Odonata), Moltenophlebia lindae gen. et sp. nov., from the Molteno Formation (Karoo Basin, South Africa), on the basis of three incomplete, isolated wings. In order to provide a reconstruction of the complete wing venation of the species, we formalized and applied a repeatable method aiming at inferring the missing parts of a given specimen. It is based on homologous veins automatically identified thanks to a standardized color-coding. The dedicated script can be applied broadly to the fossil record of insect wings. The species is identified as a member of the Zygophlebiida, within the Triadophlebiomorpha. This discovery, therefore, represents the first ascertained occurrence of the latter group in Gondwana, an area where the fossil record of Odonata is depauperate. Highlights: New morphometric tool allowing reconstruction of incomplete fossil insect wing. A new species of Triassic stem-Odonata displays an usual combination of traits. Reconsideration of homology conjecture for the pillar, a particular wing structure. A major group of Triassic Odonata proves to have been distributed worldwide.