A unique, large-sized stem Odonata (Insecta) found in the early Pennsylvanian of New Brunswick (Canada)

Olivier Bethoux (1) , Rowan E Norrad , Matthew R Stimson , Olivia A King , Luke F Allen (1) , Isabelle Deregnaucourt , Steven J Hinds , Jake H Lewis , Jörg W Schneider

1 CR2P - Centre de Recherche en Paléontologie - Paris

A stem relative of dragon-and damselflies, Brunellopteron norradi Béthoux, Deregnaucourt and Norrad gen. et sp. nov., is documented based on a specimen found at Robertson Point (Grand Lake, New Brunswick, Canada; Sunbury Creek Formation; early Moscovian, Pennsylvanian) and preserving the basal half of a hindwing. A comparative analysis of the evolution of wing venation in early odonates demonstrates that it belongs to a still poorly documented subset of species. Specifically, it displays a MP + CuA fusion, a CuA + CuP fusion, and a CuP + AA fusion, but it lacks the "extended" MP + Cu / CuA fusion and the "extended" (CuP / CuA + CuP) + AA fusion, the occurrence of which is typical of most Odonata, including Meganeura-like species. The occurrence of intercalary veins suggests that its closest relative might be Gallotypus oudardi Nel, Garrouste and Roques, 2008, from the Moscovian of northern France.

Domains: Populations and Evolution [q-bio.PE]; Systematics, Phylogenetics and taxonomy; Paleontology

Olivier Bethoux, Rowan E Norrad, Matthew R Stimson, Olivia A King, Luke F Allen, et al.. A unique, large-sized stem Odonata (Insecta) found in the early Pennsylvanian of New Brunswick (Canada). Fossil Record, 2021, 24 (2), pp.207-221. ⟨10.5194/fr-24-207-2021⟩. ⟨mnhn-03276448⟩