The youngest and first Gondwanan representative of the anisopteran family Aktassiidae from the Upper Cretaceous of Lebanon (Odonata, Petalurida)

Abstract

Lebanoaktassia curiosa gen. et sp. nov., the youngest and first Gondwanan representative of the anisopteran family Aktassiidae is characterized, illustrated, described. Its taxonomic position is discussed. This fossil is the third case (over four) of strange dragonflies found altogether with the two endemic odonatan families Libanocorduliidae and Libanogomphidae, in the same assemblage from the Cenomanian of Hjoula, Lebanon. This very particular odonatan fauna advocates taxa that have developed very original morphological characters, possibly in relation to an endemism on an island insular system during the Early Cretaceous.