Wing Venation Characters Research Articles

A new palaeodictyopteran Haseneura jarmilae gen. et sp. nov. from the Pennsylvanian of Piesberg reveals the structure of alinota

ABSTRACT A newly discovered palaeodictyopteran from the Pennsylvanian of Piesberg quarry (Lower Saxony, Germany) displays variability of wing venation on both wing pairs, well-preserved structure of thoracic nota and partially preserved wing base elements. Haseneura jarmilae gen. et sp. nov. is attributed to the family Archaemegaptilidae (Eugereonoidea) based on the wing venation characters, but several characters are also shared with representatives of Lycocercidae such as Apopappus Handlirsch, 1906. The preserved thoracic nota and wing bases demonstrate that wings were held in an outstretched position at rest, allowing to identify structural details. After the evaluation of venation characters across the superfamily Eugereonoidea and the re-examination of the holotype of Lithomantis meyeri Brauckmann et al., 2009 described from the same locality of Piesberg quarry, we propose transferring this species to Haseneura gen. nov. within the family Archaemegaptilidae as Haseneura meyeri comb. nov. zoobank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D6839EFE-5AD0-4D89-9AD0-19BA0EF9580F

A new hangingfly species (Mecoptera: Bittacidae) from the Paleocene Paskapoo Formation (Canada)

The order Mecoptera, commonly known as scorpionflies, has a long and fascinating evolutionary history that spans over 270 million years, if we consider its stem group. Despite their well-documented fossil record during the Mesozoic, many aspects of their diversity and evolution remain poorly understood. In this study, we increase the fossil record of Mecoptera by describing a new taxon from the Paleocene Paskapoo Formation (Alberta, Canada). This specimen is described as Bittacus? paskapooensis sp. nov. (Raptipedia: Bittacidae) but is assigned with caution to Bittacus due to the lack of apomorphic wing venation characters for this genus.

Blurring the limits of anaxyelid subfamilies: a new genus and species (Hymenoptera: Anaxyelidae) from the Albian of the Republic of Korea

Hanguksyntexis haeretica gen. et sp. nov. is the first Anaxyelidae described and illustrated from the early Albian Jinju Formation (Republic of Korea). This new taxon is attributed to the subfamily Syntexinae because of its forewing venation (i.e., 1-Rs+M forking at 1m-cu level), but differs from all other syntexines genera because of its peculiar shape and length of 2r cell (ca. twice as long as wide, not distinctly widened apically nor basally) and by its vein 6-Rs strongly curved distally towards wing margin. The discovery of this new genus challenges the clear differentiation between Anaxyelinae and Syntexinae, prompting a thorough discussion on the diagnostic value of the wing venation characters that were previously used to distinguish the two subfamilies. Consequently, the genus Cretosyntexis Rasnitsyn & Martínez-Delclòs, 2000 is transferred to Anaxyelinae.

New data and systematic considerations on the Blattogryllopterida (Insecta: Grylloblattida) from the Jurassic Daohugou locality in China

The systematics of the Blattogryllopterida (Grylloblattida) from the Jurassic Daohugou locality (China) is reconsidered. The holotypes of Plesioblattogryllus magnificus and Duoduo qianae are examined and new synonymies are proposed: Plesioblattogryllus Huang, Nel & Petrulevičius, 2008 = Duoduo Cui, 2012, syn. nov.; Plesioblattogryllus magnificus Huang, Nel & Petrulevičius, 2008 = Duoduo qianae Cui, 2012, syn. nov. The holotype of Plesioblattogryllus minor Ren & Aristov, 2011 is reinvestigated and re-documented, and a new well-preserved single wing of this rare species, also uncovered from the Jurassic Daohugou locality, is described. Besides the holotype, it is the first specimen exhibiting well-exposed wing venation characters for the species. Particular characters, such as the desclerotised MP, are better observed and complemented by Reflectance Transforming Imaging documentation. The new specimen might be a hind wing with a reduced plicatum, a trait yet unknown in grylloblattids. Based on these new data it occurs that, in contrast to P. magnificus and most Blattogryllopterida, the species possesses a long RP+MA fusion, with a long basal free part of MA and a very short basal free section of RP. Together with other characters, it justifies the erection of new genus, Aristoviblattogryllus gen. nov., to accommodate the species Aristoviblattogryllus minor (Ren & Aristov, 2011), comb. nov.

Siphlonephemerellidae fam. nov., a new mid-Cretaceous mayfly family (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) from Kachin amber

A new genus and species of Ephemeroptera, Siphlonephemerella mupengxui gen. et sp. nov., is reported based on a male imago in mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber. The new mayfly belongs to the superfamily Siphlonuroidea based on the morphological characters of legs and wing venation, but it differs from the related families by a series of unique characters. A new extinct family, Siphlonephemerellidae fam. nov., is established for the new taxa. The new family is characterized by the presence of basal spine on segment II of forceps, the paired hooked claws, and the unique venation in both forewing and hindwings.

A new genus and species of the damsel-dragonfly family Burmaphlebiidae (Odonata: Epiproctophora)

Summary Bilebullephlebia legendrei n. gen., n. sp. is described, illustrated, and placed into the small epiproctophoran family Burmaphlebiidae. This family was previously known from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber by two monotypic genera, but the new fossil shows that its diversity is underestimated. At least one additional genus with an enigmatic wing venation remains to be described from the same deposit. Nothing is known about the genitalia configuration of the Burmaphlebiidae but new fossils are expected to clarify the position of the family which is currently only discussed in light of wing venation characters.

Early stage of evolution of Gonomyia (Diptera: Limoniidae), new significant discoveries in the Cretaceous Iberian and Kachin amber

Thanks to detailed studies of inclusions in Spanish and Kachin amber, it was also possible to study the morphology of insects belonging to the genus Gonomyia. A new material under investigation made it possible to establish two new nominative for science subgenera within the genus Gonomyia has been designated with unique set of characters of antenna, wing venation and genitalia. Two new species within two new subgenera have been described and documented by drawings and photographs, there are Gonomyia (Iberiana) penalveri subgen. et sp. nov. and Gonomyia (Cretagonomyia) burmitica subgen. et sp. nov. The new discovery is the first record of the genus Gonomyia (Diptera: Limoniidae) in Cretaceous Spanish amber and the second in Kachin amber. The new discovery adds to the knowledge of the crane fies’ diversity and evolution, especially its first stage in the Cretaceous.

The first Geinitziidae (Polyneoptera: Reculida) from the Upper Triassic Amisan Formation of South Korea

Shurabia taewani sp. nov., is the first representative of the reculid family Geinitziidae described from the Upper Triassic of South Korea. The preservation of numerous wing venation characters on this new fossil allows for its placement in the genus Geinitzia and a deep comparison with other genera of Geinitziidae. This discovery suggests that the insect paleofauna of the Amisan Formation is rich and needs to be further investigated. Shurabia taewani sp. nov. differs from the other species currently included in the genus, inter alia, because its vein ScP ends near wing mid-length, its fork of M is at the same level as the fork of R, its RP has five branches, its MA four branches, its MP two branches, and its vein m-cua ‘M5′ originates from the stem of M and ends into CuA.

Revision of Archizelmira Rohdendorf, 1962 (Diptera, Archizelmiridae)

A new species of the extinct genus Archizelmira Rohdendorf, 1962 is described based on an isolated wing from the Middle Jurassic of West Siberia (Itat Formation, Bathonian). Both previously known species are re-examined. Additional wing venation characters are found for the genus, which support its status as a sister group to the rest of the family. A new Cretaceous subfamily, Burmazelmirinae subfam. nov. is proposed.

A New Sternorrhynchan Genus and Species from the Triassic Period of China That Is Likely Related to Protopsyllidioid (Insecta, Hemiptera).

Simple SummaryThe new sternorrhynchan Triassopsyllidiida pectinata gen. et sp. nov. is described from the latest Middle Triassic Tongchuan biota of China. The phylogenetic relationships of the Protopsyllidioidea are discussed.Triassopsyllidiida pectinata gen. et sp. nov. is described from the latest Middle Triassic Tongchuan biota of China and tentatively attributed to the superfamily Protopsyllidioidea. Its forewing venation is unique among this superfamily in the anteriorly pectinate vein ScP + RA and the presence of a veinlet between R and M + CuA. Its exact position in this group remains uncertain, mainly because of the weak diagnostic value of the wing venation characters in these insects. The phylogenetic relationships of the Protopsyllidioidea are discussed.

Past ecosystems drive the evolution of the early diverged Symphyta (Hymenoptera: Xyelidae) since the earliest Eocene

Abstract. Paleoxyela nearctica gen. et sp. nov., is described from the upper Eocene of Florissant Formation in Colorado. We placed Paleoxyela gen. nov. in the subfamily Macroxyelinae and the tribe Macroxyelini based on the numerous wing venation characters visible on the specimen. Proxyelia pankowskii gen. et sp. nov. is described from the lower Eocene Fossil Lake deposits of the Green River Formation in Wyoming. We placed Proxyelia gen. nov. in the subfamily Macroxyelinae and the tribe Xyeleciini based on the numerous wing venation characters visible on the specimen. These new records of the family Xyelidae are of particular importance to better understand the past diversity of the clade and propose hypotheses about their diversification. Extant Xyelidae inhabit temperate Northern Hemisphere forests, and most of their larvae feed on conifers, which may explain why they are relatively poorly diversified compared to the other symphytan families. We suggest that the global decline in conifers and the reduced diversity of extant host trees partly explain the diversity of extant Xyelidae. We correlate the biome repartition during the Eocene to that of the extant xyelid.

Systematic significance of wing morphology in extinct Prophalangopsidae (Insecta, Ensifera) revealed by geometric morphometrics and description of two new species

Prophalangopsidae was a diverse family during the Late Mesozoic, but the variation and sexual dimorphism in their forewing morphologies are rarely discussed. Based on 43 specimens – of both sexes – from eight species, an investigation into wing venation variation among/within species of Prophalangopsidae was performed using geometric morphometrics and morphological comparisons. The results indicate that wing characters are reliable for taxonomy in fossil Prophalangopsidae and that variation in wing shape and venation is common within species. The structures of the forewings are analogous between sexes within species, and it is possible to pair males and females for a fossil species. Due to the potential existence of synonyms arising from the lack of knowledge on wing venation variation within species and sexes, the species richness of fossil prophalangopsids is probably over-estimated. The role of wing venation characters in systematics and phylogenetic analysis needs to be further analysed. In addition, two new species of Prophalangopsidae from the Middle Jurassic are described. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:BD2D00D6-9E55-46F9-AEB3-122FBBF99A06

A new species of the extinct family Minlagerrontidae (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber

The extinct family Minlagerrontidae bears unusual morphological characteristics and includes two close species within one genus from mid-Cretaceous Burmese (Myanmar) amber. Herein, a third species of Minlagerron Chen, Szwedo and Wang, 2019, Minlagerron hongi sp. nov. is characterized, described and illustrated based on a well-preserved specimen from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. The new species can be distinguished from other species mainly by its wing venation characters. This discovery increases the knowledge on the palaeodiversity of this peculiar hemipteran family, and probably reflects the complexity of the region of Myanmar during the Cretaceous.

Further studies on two species of the moth genus Paralebeda Aurivillius (Lepidoptera: Bombycoidea: Lasiocampidae) from northwestern India

The known Indian species of the moth genus Paralebeda Aurivillius namely femorata (Menetries) and the type species plagifera (Walker) have been taxonomically treated. The external morphological characters particularly species specific features such as wing venation and genitalic characters have been studied and illustrated. The genus diagnosis has been updated and a key has also been formulated.

An insect wing discovered in the Early Permian Taiyuan Formation (Shanxi Province, China)

Abstract. The first discovery of an insect wing from the Taiyuan Formation, near Yangquan City, Shanxi Province, China, is described. The combination of its wing venation characters makes it difficult to assign it to any known major Paleozoic group. The comparison is made among the new material, stem-Orthoptera species, and “fossil Grylloblattodea”. Further investigation on fossil insects from this locality is needed.

Phylogeny, character evolution and tribal classification in Crambinae and Scopariinae (Lepidoptera, Crambidae)

AbstractCrambinae (2047 spp.) and Scopariinae (577 spp.) are two major groups of pyraloid moths with a worldwide distribution. Their larvae feed predominantly on Poales and Bryophyta, with many cereal crop pests. We present the first molecular phylogeny of the two groups based on five nuclear genes and one mitochondrial gene (total = 4713 bp) sampled for 58 crambine species representing 56 genera and all tribes, 33 scopariine species representing 12 genera, and species in several other crambid lineages. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of the molecular data resolve suprageneric relationships in Crambinae and Scopariinae, whereas relationships between these and other subfamilies remain ambiguous. Crambinae and Scopariinae are each recovered as monophyletic groups, and Erupini, formerly regarded as an ingroup of Midilinae, is recovered as a possible sister group of Crambinae. The tree topology suggests the following two major changes within Crambinae: Prionapterygini Landry syn.n. of Ancylolomiini Ragonot stat. rev. and Myelobiini Minet syn.n. of Chiloini Heinemann. Argyriini Munroe is monophyletic after the transfer of Pseudocatharylla Bleszynski and Vaxi Bleszynski to Calamotrophini. Crambini, Diptychophorini and Haimbachiini are monophyletic after the exclusion of Ancylolomia Hübner, Euchromius Guenée, Micrelephas Dognin and Miyakea Marumo from Crambini, as well as Microchilo Okano from Diptychophorini. Euchromiini tribe n. is described for Euchromius. Microcramboides Bleszynski syn.n. and Tortriculladia Bleszynski syn.n. are synonymized with Microcrambus Bleszynski. In Scopariinae, Caradjaina Leraut syn.n. and Cholius Guenée syn.n. are synonymized with Scoparia Haworth, and, in addition, Dasyscopa Meyrick syn.n., Dipleurinodes Leraut syn.n. and Eudipleurina Leraut syn.n. are synonymized with Eudonia Billberg. Micraglossa melanoxantha (Turner) (Scoparia) comb.n. is proposed as a new combination. We analysed 27 morphological characters of wing venation, tympanal organs, male and female genitalia, as well as host plant data and egg‐laying behaviour. The ancestral character‐state reconstructions confirmed previous apomorphies and highlighted new apomorphies for some of the newly recovered clades. The derived, nonadhesive egg‐dropping behaviour is found to have evolved at least twice in Crambinae and is associated with the use of Pooideae as host plants.This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1A84282D‐930A‐4C32‐8340‐D681BFF27A12.

First hairy cicadas in mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar (Hemiptera: Cicadoidea: Tettigarctidae)

Two new genera and two new species of Tettigarctidae, Cretotettigarcta burmensis gen. et sp. nov., and Vetuprosbole parallelica gen. et sp. nov., are described and illustrated based on two well-preserved specimens from the mid-Cretaceous amber of northern Myanmar. C. burmensis is assigned to the subfamily Tettigarctinae, providing several peculiar features that are not found in the extant representatives of Tettigarctinae: apex of fore femur armed with distal conical spine; hind tibia armed with three lateral spines; ScP + R branching distinctly after MP branching; MP3+4 connecting CuA1 by cross vein m-cu. The other species V. parallelica is tentatively assigned to the tribe Turutanoviini of Cicadoprosbolinae. C. burmensis resembles Sunotettigarcta hirsuta from the Middle–Upper Jurassic of Daohugou beds (northeastern China) in its general characters of wing venation and pronotum, which suggests a close relationship between the Daohugou and Burmese amber biotas. It likely reveals a range shift southwards after the Daohugou palaeoecosystem collapsed during the Late Jurassic in north China. Our discovery represents the first record of amber-entombed Tettigarctidae from the Mesozoic, which greatly widens the biogeographic distribution and increases the palaeodiversity of the Mesozoic tettigarctids. It also provides new insights into the morphological diversification and early evolutionary history of tettigarctids.

A non-destructive virtual dissection by micro-CT reveals diagnostic characters in the type specimen of Caloptilia stigmatella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae).

Nearly a century ago, wing venation was introduced in gracillariid taxonomy as a means to diagnose closely related genera and species groups. Recent advances in non-destructive virtual micro-dissections suggest promising approaches with which to revisit the relevance of wing venation characters on historic primary type specimens. Many unique type specimens in Gracillariidae and other microlepidoptera groups preserved in museum collections are in poor condition, and over the course of history have suffered loss or damage to their abdomens. Consequently, genitalia morphology is not available for diagnoses and comparisons. In this paper we emphasize the need to include the type species and type specimens into the broader context of taxonomic studies on micro-moths in general and the family Gracillariidae in particular. The genus Caloptilia has a world-wide distribution and has been the subject of research for more than 200 years, yet the generic boundaries and groupings within the genus are still unresolved due to the lack of a reliable set of taxonomic characters obtained from the primary types. We describe a method of virtual descaling of the fore- and hindwings using the unset micro-moth type specimen of Caloptilia stigmatella Fabricius, 1781, in order to demonstrate that the study of historic and fragile type specimens and diagnoses of their internal morphological characters becomes possible by applying new and non-destructive technology.

To the revision of the genus Thionia Stål (Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea, Issidae), with description of new genera and new subtribe.

New subtribe, Oronoquina subtrib. n., is erected for the genus Oronoqua Fennah, 1947 in the tribe Thioniini Melichar. New genera, Fowlerium gen. n. (type species: Thionia naso Fowler, 1905) and Aplos gen. n. (type species: Issus simplex Germar, 1830) are erected in the subtribe Thioniina Melichar. Thionia acuta Doering, 1941 and T. producta Van Duzee, 1908 are transferred to Fowlerium gen. n. The photos of type specimen of Issus cinctifrons Stål, 1854 are examined and compared with original description of Issus rubrocostatus Spinola, 1839 (currently Thionia rubrocostata (Spinola, 1839)). I. cinctifrons is reinstalled from synonymy with I. rubrocostatus as Thionia cinctifrons (Stål, 1854). Diagnosis of Thionia sensu stricto is given basing on the characters of T. cinctifrons. Generic status of Cheiloceps Uhler, 1895 is discussed and confirmed. Thionia argo Fennah, 1949, T. anguillana Fennah, 1965, T. borinqueta Caldwell et Martorell, 1951, and T. puertoricensis Caldwell et Martorell, 1951 are transferred to the genus Cheiloceps Uhler. Hind wing venation characters of Issidae are discussed.

Comparative exploration of antennae in Pseudopontia, and antennal clubs of the tribes Leptideini and Dismorphiini (Lepidoptera: Pieridae).

We examined antennal ultrastructure in species of Dismorphiinae and Pseudopontiinae (Pieridae) using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We examined two species of Pseudopontia (Pseudopontiinae) and more than 30 species in seven genera of two tribes in the subfamily Dismorphiinae: Leptidea, Enantia, Pseudopieris, Lieinix, Moschoneura, Dismorphia, and Patia. We focused on the scaleless terminal area of the antenna where there are many types of sensilla, some of which are clustered together and constitute specialized organs. We measured, described, and illustrate at different magnifications structures including the antennal club, antennomeres, sulci, pseudosulci, and chaetic, trichoid, coeloconic, basiconic, and auriculate sensilla, as well as other previously unnamed sensilla. From these antennal features, we created a matrix of characters that allowed us to recognize divergence between the tribes Leptideini and Dismorphiini. The antennae of Leptideini have fewer scaleless antennomeres in the antennal club than those of Dismorphiini, a greater number of pseudosulci disaggregated or dispersed (in Leptidea), and fewer types of sensilla and microtrichia (a more homogeneous antennal morphology), as well as a reduction in the density of sensilla. In Leptidea the antennal form is more specialized: it is shorter in comparison to genera of other Papilionoidea families. We also created a matrix of general morphological characters of Dismorphiinae and Pieridae from the taxonomic literature. This matrix confirms the marked character divergence between the tribes and allows for a more meaningful discussion regarding the relationships between Dismorphiinae and the other subfamilies of Pieridae (i.e., Pseudopontiinae, Coliadinae, and Pierinae). We argue that Pseudopontiinae cannot be considered the least derived subfamily among Pieridae because pupal features, wing venation, and antennal characters exhibit a combination of primitive and specialized states. In addition, we discuss our results from the perspective of patterns of food plant usage in pierid subfamilies, specifically the diversification of several Dismorphiinae genera on Hologalegina and Ingeae (Fabaceae).