New palaeodictyopterans from the Late Carboniferous of the UK (Insecta: Palaeodictyopterida)

Abstract

New palaeodictyopterans, Vernooijia sassoonae gen. et sp. nov. (Breyeriidae) and Mazonopterumcooperi sp. nov. (Homoiopteridae) are described from the Middle Pennsylvanian (Westphalian D/Late Asturian) of Writhlington, near Radstock (UK). Based on the re-examination of venation in Breyeriaharlemensis, we propose the transfer of this species to the genus Vernooijia as V.harlemensis (Brauckmann & Gröning, 1996) comb. nov. We report the first record of Homaloneura sp. (Spilapteridae) from the Langsettian to Duckmantian of Coseley, Staffordshire. Additionally, we report a fragmentary wing from the Middle Pennsylvanian (late Westphalian D/early Cantabrian) of the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, tentatively belonging to the Lycocercidae. Our re-examination of a putative blattodean nymph described by Rolfe (1967) allows re-assignment to Palaeodictyoptera, as it has well-developed wing pads with a corrugated pattern of probably original tracheation and lacunal channels, identified as presumably nymphal exuvia of Idoptilus sp. Surprisingly, our study reveals the presence of three triangular caudal appendages bearing prominent lateral lamellae emerging from the terminal abdominal segment, previously unknown in other nymphs of Palaeodictyoptera. We assume that these lamellae were originally covered with dense setae and possibly represent modified caudal appendages in the form of tracheal gills, as known in the nymphs of damselflies (Odonata: Zygoptera). Thus, the scenario of a possible aquatic lifestyle for nymphs of at least some members of Palaeodictyoptera, as considered by Brongniart (1885, 1893) and Handlirsch (1906), cannot be definitely excluded.

Thoracic and abdominal outgrowths in early pterygotes: a clue to the common ancestor of winged insects?

“…Within Palaeodictyoptera, lamellate paraprocts indicating an aquatic lifestyle were first reported in early stage larval exuviae of Idoptilus sp. from Bolsovian of Stainborough, Barnsley (Middle Coal Measures) in South Yorkshire, UK 26 (Fig. 5b ).…”

“…Caudal appendages of palaeodictyopteran larvae with a presumed respiratory function were recently reported in an early instar of Idoptilus sp. 26 , whereas in all others only cerci are documented 27 , 28 and exceptionally interpreted as long ovipositors 29 .…”

Ecomorphological diversification of the Late Palaeozoic Palaeodictyopterida reveals different larval strategies and amphibious lifestyle in adults

“…Re-examination of another larva from Middle Coal Measures in South Yorkshire, UK, assigned to Idoptilus sp. revealed early instar exuvia bearing articulated wing pads with three markedly convex ridges corresponding to the precursors of veins of RA, MA and CuA [29]. However, this young larva differed from all previously described Palaeodictyoptera by the presence of three triangular caudal appendages with prominent lateral lamellae densely covered by fine cuticular setae (figures 1 e and 2 c ).…”

The first Palaeodictyoptera (Insecta) from the Carboniferous-Permian basin of Graissessac (France)

“…But in Aviobreyeria Prokop et al, 2013, these crossveins are mainly present in the distal half of the wing while there is an archedictyon in basal part of wing. The Breyeriidae can have a short ScP, ending at the level of first branch of anterior branch of RP (in Breyeria, Jugobreyeria) or an elongate one (in Hasala, Aviobreyeria, Megaptiloides, and Vermooija) (Laurentiaux and Laurentiaux-Vieira, 1951;Brauckmann et al, 1985;Brauckmann, 1995;Prokop et al, 2013Prokop et al, , 2018. Hasala and Aviobreyeria have a pectinate RP, unlike Dictyoneura goujonorum n. sp.…”