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Issue: Vol. 1 No. 2: May–June 2024
Type: Article
Published: 2024-06-27
DOI: 10.11646/mesozoic.1.2.7
Page range: 144-158
Abstract views: 172
PDF downloaded: 103

A new genus of Mesopsychidae from the late Middle Triassic Tongchuan entomofauna and its taxonomic and palaeogeographic implications

Institute of Palaeontology, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Earth System Science, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Palaeobiology, MEC International Joint Laboratory for Palaeobiology and Palaeoenvironment, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China; Southwest United Graduate School, Kunming 650092, China
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
Institute of Palaeontology, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Earth System Science, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Palaeobiology, MEC International Joint Laboratory for Palaeobiology and Palaeoenvironment, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China; Southwest United Graduate School, Kunming 650092, China
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
Mesopsychidae Tongchuan Formation Ordos Basin Palaeolatitude

Abstract

Mesopsychids, a long-proboscid mecopteran group, are presumably associated with the pollination of Mesozoic gymnosperms. Despite over 100 years of study on the genus Mesopsyche, only isolated wings have been discovered. Mesopsyche is now redefined as a monotypic genus with only one species, Mesopsyche triareolata. The other species previously classified within Mesopsyche are have been assigned to the newly established genus Turbidapsyche Lian & Huang, gen. nov., distinguished by its three-branched Sc, in contrast to the numerous Sc branches of Mesopsyche. Herein, we present descriptions and illustrations of new material from the middle part (late Ladinian) of the Middle–Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation. We assigned these specimens to the newly erected genus, Turbidapsyche Lian & Huang, gen. nov. Turbidapsyche tongchuanensis (Hong, 2007) comb. nov., the first reported Turbidapsyche (Mesopsyche) from the Tongchuan entomofauna, is revised based on a new specimen. Additionally, we erecte three new species of Turbidapsyche Lian & Huang, gen. nov. based on their wing size, shape, and especially the coloured patterns. Turbidapsyche orientalis Lian & Huang, gen. et sp. nov. is characterised by the distinctly shrunken wing base and dense coloured markings along anterior wing. Turbidapsyche sparsanota Lian & Huang, gen. et sp. nov. is distinguished by its relatively larger wing size and sparse coloured spots situated at the forks, crossveins, and apical longitudinal veins. Turbidapsyche hongi Lian & Huang, gen. et sp. nov. is characterised by a relatively small wing size and sparser striped coloured markings. Although hindwings of Turbidapsyche Lian & Huang, gen. nov. are described and illustrated, they are not assigned to any species. Species of both Mesopsyche and Turbidapsyche are discussed in detail. The wing coloured patterns of Turbidapsyche exhibit regional differentiation, with numerous coloured spots or spots fused into striped coloured markings observed in China, transparency in Kyrgyzstan, and full pigmentation in Ukraine. Based on previous palaeomagnetic research conducted in Tongchuan area, we derive a palaeolatitude of 21° in the Middle Triassic. Turbidapsyche was distributed along the northern Palaeotethys, near a similar palaeolatitude, suggesting it inhabited comparable climates and perhaps had specific ecological requirements or limited dispersal capabilities.

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