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Issue: Vol. 1681 No. 1: 16 Jan. 2008
Type: Article
Published: 2008-01-16
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1681.1.6
Page range: 62–68
Abstract views: 58
PDF downloaded: 1

Telmaeshna paradoxica gen. et sp. nov., a new fossil dragonfly (Insecta: Odonata: Anisoptera) from the Yixian Formation, Liaoning, China

College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100037, China
College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100037, China
State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Odonata Insecta Anisoptera Aeshnoptera fossil Upper Jurassic Lower Cretaceous China

Abstract

Telmaeshna paradoxica gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation, near Chaomidian Village, Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, China. It is included in the Anisoptera: Aeshnoptera: Aeshnomorpha: Panaeshnida, on the basis of the following characters: strongly elongated pterostigma; well-defined anal loop and Rspl; undulated RP2, RP3/4 and MA; divided hypertriangle and discoidal triangle; and prolonged gaff. It cannot be assigned to any described extant or extinct family of Panaeshnida, but we refrain from erecting a new family to accommodate it until more features (forewing, body characters) are known. Consequently, this new genus is provisionally retained as family uncertain. Its phylogenetic relationships within Anisoptera are discussed.

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