Lithocorydalus fuscata

Jepson, James E. & Heads, Sam W., 2016, Fossil Megaloptera (Insecta: Neuropterida) from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of Brazil, Zootaxa 4098 (1), pp. 134-144 : 141

Lithocorydalus fuscata gen. et sp. nov.

Figure 2

2007 Megaloptera gen. et sp. nov.: Martins-Neto et al. p 331, 339, fig. 11.69 c.

Etymology. From fuscous meaning ‘dark’ in reference to the dark wings of the specimen.

Type material. SMNS 66000-248, almost complete insect preserved ventral side up, from the Crato Formation, Brazil, Lower Cretaceous, Aptian.

Diagnosis. As for genus.

Description. Forewing: 17.9 mm long, 5.5 mm wide. C complete, 15 subcostal veinlets, costal area narrows distally. Sc and R1 close together throughout length, most likely fusing distally towards wing apex (fusion not preserved). Rs+MA at acute angle from R1. Rs poorly preserved, termination of Rs1, Rs2 not preserved. MA continues at acute angle, simple for most of its length, termination not preserved. Two rs1-ma crossveins preserved. MP deeply forked, MP1, MP2 simple. One ma-mp1 crossvein preserved. CuA poorly preserved. CuP and anal veins not preserved.

Hind wing: 17.6 mm preserved length. C complete, costal area narrow with 15 subcostal veinlets preserved. Sc and R1 close together throughout length, fusing distally, fusion not preserved. Three rs-r1 crossveins preserved. Rs originating distally before mid point of wing, fusing with MA after very short distance. Rs with three branches One crossvein preserved in radial sector. Free branch of MA long, forming a long narrow cell between it and R. RS+MA at acute angle, MA continues at same angle, straight and simple. Two nygmata present between MA and MP, before fork of MP and at mid point of vein between MA and MP. MP deeply forked before midpoint of vein. MP1, MP2 simple. Three ma-mp1 crossveins preserved. Cu deeply forked (fork not preserved); CuA and CuP poorly preserved. One mp-cua crossvein preserved. Anal veins not preserved.

Body. Preserved ventral side up. Head 3 mm long, 3.3 mm wide. Eyes 1.3 mm long, 0.6 mm wide. Antennae partially preserved, 15 flagellomeres on the right and 13 on the left. Scape preserved, 0.3 mm long, 0.4 mm wide. Mouthparts, Mandibles preserved with serrated edge, 0.9 mm long, 0.8 mm wide. Prothorax incomplete, 1.8 mm long, 2.9 mm wide. Mesothorax 2.3 mm long, 4.3 mm wide. Metathorax 1.7 mm wide, 4.3 mm wide. Legs poorly preserved. Femur incomplete, tibia 2.3 mm long, no tibial spur, 4th tarsal segment simple. Abdomen 8.3 mm long.

Figures

FIGURE 2. A. Photograph of Lithocorydalus fuscata sp. nov. B. Labelled drawing of body. C. Labelled drawing of forewing venation (top) and hind wing venation (bottom). All scale bars = 5 mm.