The wing venation of the Protomyrmeleontidae (Insecta: Odonatoptera) reconsidered thanks to a new specimen from Molteno (Triassic; South Africa). (4th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deregnaucourt, Isabelle; Wappler, Torsten; Anderson, John M.; Béthoux, Olivier
• Is Part Of: Historical biology. Volume 33:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 306
• Page End: 312
• Publication Date: 2021-03-04
• Subjects: Molteno Formation -- Triassic -- wing venation -- Protomyrmeleontidae -- stem-Odonata; Paleobiology -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; Paleontology -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Paleontology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 560.5
• DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2019.1616291
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-2963

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Wing venation homologies of the Protomyrmeleontidae, a widespread group of damselfly-like stem-Odonata during the Triassic, are debated. The two main interpretations essentially disagree on the identification of RP branches. Indeed, Protomyrmeleontidae display a very complex wing venation necessarily involving, in a way or another, fusions of the concave RP branches with the convex intercalary veins. As a consequence, vein elevations in the radial area are challenging to interpret. Here, we present a new Triassic specimen from the Molteno Formation (Karoo Basin, South Africa), Moltenagrion koningskroonensis gen. et sp. nov. It displays a unique venation pattern supporting a new, alternative interpretation involving a pair of supplementary intercalaries. The systematic implications of this wing venation interpretation are then discussed. The new species is assigned to the new family Moltenagrionidae fam. nov., itself considered sister-group of the family Protomyrmeleontidae, as previously delimited, both composing the super-family Protomyrmeleontoidea. Diagnoses of these taxa are revised according to our new interpretation. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6AF81E13-E57B-4EF8-BBBB-5392EF439E87