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Issue: Vol. 4370 No. 5: 15 Jan. 2018
Type: Article
Published: 2018-01-15
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4370.5.10
Page range: 591–600
Abstract views: 56
PDF downloaded: 1

Taxonomic notes on Cretarophalis patrickmuelleri Wichard, 2017 (Insecta: Neuroptera: Nevrorthidae) from the mid-Cretaceous of Myanmar, and its phylogenetic significance

Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
Nanjiao Bieshu 394, Shanghai, China.
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China.
Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, Zweite Zoologische Abteilung, Burgring 7, A-1010 Vienna, Austria.
Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
Neuroptera Neuropterida phylogeny biogeography Burmese amber

Abstract

Nevrorthidae is a family of Neuroptera with low species diversity, disjunct geographic distributions, and a controversial phylogenetic status. Previous fossil records of the family are from the Eocene except for the recently described species Cretarophalis patrickmuelleri Wichard, 2017 from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, following earlier records of an undescribed species. However, such a significant finding of this family from Mesozoic was originally presented only with a preliminary description. Here we re-describe the species based on exquisitely preserved materials from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber that provides for a much more detailed description, in particular of the hindwing, female genitalia, and larval head. Furthermore, distinctive morphological characters of C. patrickmuelleri with significant phylogenetic relevance are discussed. The general morphology, particularly that of the larva, has changed little between the Mesozoic and Cenozoic, and it reflects an evolutionary stasis that might correspond to their aquatic larval life-style. The present finding also supports the relictual nature of the modern nevrorthids.

 

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