Danowhetaksa gen. nov. with two species from the early Eocene Ølst Formation from Denmark, the first Palearctic Whetwhetaksidae (Odonata: Cephalozygoptera)

Abstract

We propose Danowhetaksa n. gen. (Odonata: Whetwhetaksidae) with two new species: D. birgitteae n. gen. et sp. and D. rusti n. gen. et sp. from the earliest Ypresian Stolleklint clay of the Ølst Formation in northwestern Denmark. Whetwhetaksidae has previously been known only from the Ypresian Okanagan Highlands of far-western North America, the new records are, therefore, the first from the Palearctic Region.

Stolleagrion foghnielseni (Odonata, Cephalozygoptera, Dysagrionidae) gen. et sp. nov.: a new odonatan from the PETM recovery phase of the earliest Ypresian Fur Formation, Denmark

“…Both formations are well known for their rich record of insect fossils (e.g., Henriksen 1922, Rust 1999, Madsen & rasmussen 2021. Its odonata fauna has especially received attention in recent years (e.g., Petrulevičius et al 2008, Zessin 2011, Simonsen et al 2022, Archibald et al 2023.…”

Butyrumichthys henriciigen. et sp. nov.: a new stromateiform fish from the lower Eocene Fur Formation, Denmark

“…The fossil assemblage comprises: (1) more than 110 species of diatoms and other siliceous algae (Homann, 1991); (2) terrestrial plants, including seeds, fruiting structures of angiosperms and gymnosperms, tree trunks and twigs (especially Sequoia ), leaves, and a diverse microflora consisting of 42 types of spores and more than 100 types of pollen (Willumsen, 2004; Pedersen et al, 2012); (3) the earliest known Eocene insect fauna with more than 25,000 cataloged specimens belonging to more than 200 species from 15 orders, in many cases representing the earliest known lineages of several families (e.g., Larsson, 1975; Willmann, 1990, 1993; Ansorge, 1992; Rust, 1998; Archibald & Makarkin, 2006; Bechly & Rasmussen, 2019; Simonsen et al, 2022); (4) marine invertebrates, e.g., bivalves, gastropods, ophiuroids, and asteroids (Pedersen et al, 2012; Rasmussen, 1972); (5) specimens of Palaeophis Owen, 1841 also documenting a rare case of an articulated marine snake skeleton (Pedersen et al, 2012; Kristensen et al, 2012); (6) marine and freshwater turtle remains, including an almost complete specimen of Eosphargis Lydekker, 1889 and arguably the world's best preserved fossil chelonid, Tasbacka danica Karl & Madsen, 2012 (Nielsen, 1960; Karl & Lindow, 2010; Karl & Madsen, 2012; Lindgren et al, 2017; Garza et al, 2021); and (7) landbirds, including the earliest forms of stem-group parrots, ibises, trogons, turacos, and rollers (Kristoffersen, 2002; Waterhouse et al, 2008; Bertelli et al, 2010; Mayr & Bertelli, 2011; Bourdon et al, 2016). The fossil bird remains comprise imprints in the diatomite, isolated bones, feathers with preserved melanosomes, and complete articulated skeletons, counting Eocypselus vincenti Harrison, 1984, which is one of the best preserved bird fossils in the record and the earliest representative of the swifts (Dyke et al, 2004; Lindow & Dyke, 2007; Waterhouse et al, 2008; Bertelli et al, 2010; Mayr, 2010; gren et al, 2017).…”