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Issue: Vol. 77 No. 1: 31 Dec. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-12-31
DOI: 10.12976/jib/2025.77.1.4
Page range: 9-17
Abstract views: 27
PDF downloaded: 28

The first genus and species of Orthophlebiidae sensu stricto from the Lower Cretaceous Dabeigou Formation of Northern China

Institute of Palaeontology, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Earth System Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China; State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; Southwest United Graduate School, Kunming 650092, China
Panorpoidea scorpionflies Mesozoic new taxon Jehol Biota

Abstract

“Orthophlebiidae” represent the oldest known mecopterans characterized by scorpion-tail-like male genitalia. They were the dominant mecopterans during the Jurassic, but experienced a marked decline during the Cretaceous. Herein, I describe and illustrate a new genus and species of Orthophlebiidae sensu stricto from the Lower Cretaceous Dabeigou Formation in Liaoning Province, Northern China. The new species, Sinorthophlebia weichangensis gen. et sp. nov., is characterized by an elongate abdomen with segment VIII forming a conical shape, as well as a remnant fork of M4, indicating a relatively derived position within the family. Our discovery may provide a valuable reference for future studies on the evolution of wing venation in Panorpoidea and, more broadly, on the evolution of the Jehol entomofauna.

 

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