J. Kukalova-Peck.
Megasecoptera from the Lower Permian of Moravia.
Psyche 82:1-19, 1975.

Full text (searchable PDF, 1936K)
Durable link: http://psyche.entclub.org/82/82-001.html

The following unprocessed text is extracted from the PDF file, and is likely to be both incomplete and full of errors. Please consult the PDF file for the complete article.

PSYCHE
Vol. 82 March, 1975 No. r
MEGASECOPTERA FROM THE LOWER PERMIAN
OF MORAVIA*
BY JARMILA KUKALOVA-PECK
Department of Geology, Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
The Megasecoptera are separated from the closely related Paleozoic Order Palaeodictyoptera by having nearly hornonomous, elongate, petiolate (or basally narrowed) wings; usually a simple venation; and Sc and R crowded towards the costal margin. The body struc- tures in both orders are virtually identical, so far as known. The relationship of these groups gives the impression of being like that between dragonflies and damselflies within the Order Odonata, rather than that between two different orders (Kukalova-Peck, 1973). Only recently has the wing attachment to the body in both groups been studied (Kukalova-Peck, 1g74), revealing evidence which justifies the recognition of Megasecoptera as a distinct order. The Palaeodictyoptera have been found to retain many features of the primitive paleopterous wing base, such as the fully developed subcostoanal axillary plate. In the Megasecoptera, however, the sub- costoanal axillary plate is missing and the axillary sclerites are highly specialized and largely fused. The morphology of the axillary region in Megasecoptera is unique within the Paleoptera and shows once again the potential for extraordinary diversity in the paleopterous orders.
The Lower Permian locality of Obora in Moravia (Czechoslo- vakia) has recently yielded twelve specimens of Megasecoptera, re- ferred here to six new families: Caulopteridae, Hanidae, Arcioneuri- *This study has been supported in part by grant no. GB 39790 from the National Science Foundation (F. M. Carpenter, Principal Investigator, Harvard University)
and in part by a publication grant of Carleton Uni- versity, Ottawa, Canada. I am deeply indebted to Dr. Frank M. Carpenter for critical review of the manuscript and for his manifold support of my work.
Manuscript received by the editor April 26, 1975



================================================================================

2 Psyche [March
dae, Ancopteridae, Engisopteridae and Alectoneuridae, in addition to the families Bard~h~menidae and Moravohymenidae, already re- ported in a previous paper ( KukaIova-Peck, 1972). One of the new species, Hana I'meata, with a wing about 100 mm long and only 8.3 rnm wide, represents an extreme case of specialization of wing shape within the Insecta. Further evidence of the close relationship in wing venation between Megasecoptera and Palaeodictyoptera is now revealed. The postcostal vein, homologous with the "costal brace" in the Ephemeroptera and present in most Palaeodictyoptera, is recog- nizable in the family Engisopteridae. Intercalated sectors, which also occur in several families of the Palaeodictyoptera, as well as in a dragonflies and mayflies, are present in five of the new genera described below. Also, some of the new species have relatively broad subcostal areas and a richly branched venation very reminiscent of the Palaeodictyoptera.
The Upper Carboniferous (Westphalian) families Frankenholzii- dae (Germany), Mecynopteridae (Belgium) and the new family Dictyoneurdlidae (France) (described below), all of which were previously considered palaeodictyopterous, are apparently related to the newly described families mentioned above and to the primitive å´famil Anchineuridae (Upper Carboniferous, Spain) of the Order Megasecoptera. They are herein referred to that order. Besides the adult's, three nymphal forms are described : Cauloptera coloraia, Arcimeura juveniles, and Alectvneura europaea. The nymphal wings are easily distinguished from the adult wings, which are held at right angles to the body, by the characteristic bend in the proximal third of the wing length. This bend determined the oblique-lateral position of the wing pads in the living nymphs, as described by Carpenter and Richardson (1968) in the completely preserved early stage of the megasecopteran nymph of Misehopfera doughxi. However, in all isolated nymphs from Obora the angle of the bend is more obtuse than in Misckoptera doug/assi. This fact together with the larger size and good sclerotization of the venation (the sclerotization being weak in dauglmsi) implies that the nymphal wings from Obora belonged to late, possibly the ultimate, instars. There is no evidence as to whether or not a subimaginal stage was present in Megasecoptera. In the Palaeodictyoptera, parts of a shed cuticle have been found attached to a female of Lycocercus golden- hergi [Kukalova, 1969, p. 449, fig. 32), including a smaller and less sclerotized ovipositor than that of the adult. It is therefore conceiv- able that the related Megasecoptera, which clearly descended from the Palaeodictyoptera, had adult molts.




================================================================================

Fig. 1. Cauloptera colorata nsp., specimen 24/1974. Wing fragment, length 38 mm, width 9 mm. Holotype. Fig. 2. Ancoptera permiana n.sp., specimen 30/1974. Wing fragment, length 36 mm, width 9.8 m,m. Holotype.



================================================================================

4 Psyche
[March
Family Caulopteridae, new Family
Nymphal wing: petiolate, broadened beyond mid-wing, narrowed in the apical third; posterior margin undulated. Sc long; stems of R and M not coalesced in the basal third; Rs diverging from Rl before mid-wing; MA and MP branched; MP anastomosed with CuA for a short distance; CuA simple, CUP sending off several branches; IA with
a series of branches. Cross veins numerous, ir- regular, forming intercalated sectors.
This family differs from the Anchineuridae in the petiolation of the wing, the branched MA and the coalesced MP and CuA. Although the shape of the wing in the family Caulopteridae and in the following three families is specialized and typical for Mega- secoptera, the venation is reminiscent of that in thse Palaeodictyoptera. If the proximal, narrow part of the wing has not been preserved, the megasecopterous character of such a fragment would be obscure. This seems to be true for several incompletely preserved wings pre- viously considered palaeodictyopterous, discussed below. At present this family includes only the following genus: Cauloptera, new genus
Nymphal wing: moderately slender, with a broad lobe in the third quarter of the wing length; posterior margin undulated beyond mid- wing only within the mp area. Sc, Rl and Rs equally distant from each other, close to, but not crowded towards the costal margin; Rs with 2 long branches; MA with several short branches. The generic nam>e is derived from the Greek words M o s and ptm (petiole + wings) and is considered neuter plural. Type species : Cauloptera colorata, n.sp. Cauloptera colorata, n.sp.
Figure J
Fhis species is based on a detached, well-preserved wing pad of a late nymph; the base is narrowed, perhaps petiolate; the basal third is missing.
Nymphal wing: length (estimated) about 41 mm, width g mm. Broadened part of the wing forming a smooth, broad lobe; undula- tions in the mp area shallow; apex comparatively broad and rounded.



================================================================================

Kukalova-Peck ÌÔMegasecopter




================================================================================

6 Psyche [March
Sc terminating on Rl; Rs originating before mid-wing; MA sending off 3 branches; MP with 2 branches; CuA simple, CUP with 2 branches;
IA with a series of about three branches; intercalated sectors mostly short. Wings dark-colored, with irregular light bands becoming crescent in the apical area.
Holotype: No. 24/1974; wing fragment, length 38 mm, width 9 mm ; obverse. Paleontological Institute of Charles University, Prague, Czechoslovakia.
Family Hanidae, new family
Wing: petiolate, broadened at about mid-wing, narrowed in cua area; posterior margin dfeeply undulated. Venation simplified; Sc terminating shortly beyond mid-wing; stems of R and M not co- alesced in the basal third; Rs diverging from Rl about mid-wing; MA and CuA simple, MP and CUP with few branches; MP anastomosed with CuA for .a short distance; IA simple. Archedictyon and irregular cross veins present.
Intrercalated sectors absent.
The family Hanidae differs from the related family Caulopteridae in the more deeply undulated posterior margin, in the short Sc, the simplified venation, the presence of the archedictyon and in the ab- sence of the intercalated sectors.
The large, elongate, extremely narrow wings of Hanidae, with an intricate outline, are among the most unusual wings within the Paleoptera. The preservation of a primitive archedictyon, which in other families becomes reduced to cross veins by Westphalian time, is a remarkable example of mosaic evoluation in Paleozoic Paleoptera. Type genus : "Hana, new genus.
Hana, new genus
Wing: very long and narrow; posterior margin forming several prominent lobes in the median and cubital areas. Sc distant from anterior margin in the basal half of the wing; Rs with about 3 short branches; IA following closely the posterior margin. Wing mem- brane with a dense covering of tubercles. This genus is represented by two species: H. filia, based on the distal half of a wing, and H. lineata, n.sp., based on the proximal half of a wing. The genus is named for my daughter Hana, who has been very helpful to me in the field work.



================================================================================

Kukalova-Peck - Megasecofitera
Hana filia, n.sp.
Figures 3-6a
This species is based upon beautifully preserved distal halves of the fore and hind wings, in normal positions (see' reconstruction of the outlines, fig. 6a). The hind wing is somewhat longer and broader at the end of the anal area than the fore wing. The venation is almost identical in the wings, though the first branch of Rs originates more markedly distally in the hind wing. In both wings, the costal margin is proximally broken away; in the fore wing, the posterior part of the wing is superimposed over R. Both wings are restored to the original widths in figure 3.
Besides the holotype, a small fore wing fragment (specimen no. 26/1974, fig. 4) , and a hind wing fragment (specimen no 2711974, fig. 5) were found, showing a coloration and a lobation of the pos- terior margin remarkably similar to that of the holotype. Wings: length of the fore wings about 84 mm, width 10.5 mm; length of the hind wing about 88 mm, width 12 mm. Posterior
margin deeply incised at the end of all branches of CUP and at MP2; Rs originating before mid-wing, Rs branches originating in the distal quarter of the wing; MA and CuA simple; MP with 2 branches, 'CUP probably with I short branch; a.rch8edictyon and cross veins strong, conspicuous. Wing membrane covered with numerous prominent tubercles and with extensive, irregularly outlined dark areas; hind wings darker than fore wings. Holotype: no. 2511974 (fore wing fragment, length 45 mm, width 9 mm; hind wing fragment, length 38 mm, width 11 mm; obverse and reverse) ; specimen no. 26/1974 (fore wing fragment, length 33 mm, width 9.5 mm; obverse and reverse) ; specimen no. 2711974 (hind wing fragment, length 19 mm, width 8.4 mm; ob- verse and reverse). Paleontological Institute of Charles University, Prague, Czechoslovakia.
Fig. 4.
Huna filia n.sp., specimen 26/1974. Fore wing fragment, length 33 mm, width 9.5 mm.




================================================================================

Psyche
[March
Hana lineata, nsp.
Figures 6b and 7
This species is based upon the proximal half of the longest and narrowest wing known in the Megasecoptera (see reconstruction, fig. 6b). The subcostal area is proximally partially superimposed across R. In figure 7 the venation is shown restored to its normal position.
Wing: length about 96 mm, width 8.3 mm. Posterior margin convexly bent at the end of all branches of CUP; Rs originating beyond mid-wing; first 'branch of MP long, starting before mid- wing; CUP with a series of 3 short branches; archedictyon and cross veins similar to those of filia, but finer. Wing membrane densely covered with small tubercles. A few dark spots occur in the sub- costal area.
This species differs from filia in its narrower wings, finer mem- brane and its series of 3 CUP branches.
Holotype: no. 28/1974 (wing fragment, length 58 mm, width 8.3 mm ; reverse) . Paleontological Institute of Charles University, Prague.
Fig. 5. Hana fills n.sp., specimen 27/1974. Hind wing fragment, length 19 mm, width 8.4 mm.
Family Arcioneuridae, new family
Nymphal wing: petiolate, narrow, broadened at about mid-wing; posterior margin undulated. No coalescing veins; Sc short; Rs di- verging from Rl well before mid-wing; MA and MP with several branches; CuA and CUP with few short branches. Cross veins numerous, forming intercalated sectors.




================================================================================

19751 Kukalowu-Peck - Megmecoptera 9
This family differs from the Caulopteridae in the shorter Sc and in lacking the coalesced MP and CuA. Type genus : Arcioneura, new genus.
Arcioneura, new genus
Nymphal wings: very long and narrow. RI close to the costal margin in the distal half of the wing; Rs with about 2 long branches; MA with a series of short branches; MP forming a long branched fork. Cross veins almost regular.
The generic name is derived from the Greek words arkios and neura (certain + veins) and is considered neuter plural. Type species : Arcioneura juveniles, nsp. Fig. 6.
Hanidae, reconstruction of Ithe specialized wing outline. A. Hana filia n.sp., fore and hind wing in natural position. Fore wing, length about 84 mm, width 10.5 mm. B. Hana Zineata n.sp. Wing, length about 96 mm, width 8.3 mm.
Arcioneura juveniles, n.sp.
Figure 8
This species is based upon a detached wing of a nymph, bent typically into oblique-lateral position in the basal third. The slight
angle of the bend and the advanced scierotization of veins and cross veins indica,te that the nymph was close to the adult stage. Nymphal wing: length about 19 mm, width 2.6 mm. Sc termi- nating shortly beyond mid-wing; Sc much closer to R and Rl than to the costal margin; Rs detaching from Rl at the end of the basal third, the first branch of Rs starting shortly beyond mid-wing; MA sending off 4 branches, MP probably 3 times branched; CUP with I branch ; IA probably simple.
Holotype: no. 29/1974 (almost complete wing, length 18.3 mm, width 2.6 mm; reverse). Paleontological Institute of Charles Uni- versity, Prague.




================================================================================

Psyche
[March
Anconeura, new genus
Wings : very long and narrow; posterior margin undulated beyond mid-wing. Rl close to the costal margin; Rs with about 4 long branches, sometimes forked; MA with a series of short branches; MP with a long, branched fork ; CuA forked. Cross veins irregular. Anconeura differs from Arcioneura by its larger wings, which have more numerous branches on Rs and CuA. The generic name is derived from the Greek words ankos and nmra (curve + veins)
and is considered neuter plural.
Type species: Anconeura havlatai, n.sp.
Anconeura havlatai, n.sp.
Figure 9
This species is monotypic, based upon an adult wing with a well preserved, long, petiolate base. Distally from mid-wing, the wing is 'broken into several dislocated pieces. In figure 8, the venation is shown restored to its normal pattern.
Wing: length about 41 mm, width 5.7 mm. Wing broadest shortly beyond mid-wing ; posterior margin with 4 undulations ; .at its proximal end the petiole broadens for its attachment to the thorax. Rs originating at about the end of the basal third, the first branch of Rs starting before mid-wing; MA sending off 3 branches; MP probably branched 4 times; CuA probably branched 5 times; CUP with I branch.
IA close and parallel with the posterior margin, with one branch.
Holotype: no. 23/1974 (almost complete wing, length 40 mm, width 5.7 mm; obverse). Paleontological Institute of Charles Uni- versity, Prague.
The species is named for Karel Havlata of Prague, who has col- lected hundreds of specimens of insects in the Obora beds. Family Ancopteridae, new family
Wings : elongate ; almost equally broad beyond mid-wing ; posterior margin undulated.
Sc somewhat shortened; stems of R and M not coalesced in the basal third; Rs diverging from Rl much before mid- wing; MA and CuA simple, MP a,nd CUP branched. Cross veins
numerous, forming conspicuous intercalated sectors. The 'family Ancopteridae differs from the related family Dictyo- neurellidae (Westphalian, France), and Anchineuridae (U. Car- boniferous, Spain) in the presence of the undulated posterior margin,



================================================================================

CUP ' CUA '
MP
M A
Fig. 7. Hana lineata nsp., specimen 28/1974. Wing fragment, length 58 mm, width 8.3 mm. Holotype. Fig. 8. Arcioneura juvenales n-sp., specimen 29/1974. Wing, length 18.3 mm, width 2.6 mm. Holotype. Fig. 9. Anconeura havlatai n.sp., specimen 23/1974. Wing, length 40 mm, width 5.7 mm. Holotype.



================================================================================

12 . Psyche [March
in the longer Rs and in the branching of the main veins, which gen- erally arise much more basally. From the Arcioneuridae it differs in the longer Sc, in the simple MA and CuA; from the Caulopteri- dae in the simple MA and the absence of coalescence between MP and CuA.
Type genus: Ancoptera, new genus.
Ancoptera, new genus
Wings: long but only slightly narrow, with broadly rounded apex; posterior margins with only shallow undulations. C broad, flattened; Sc and Rl crowded towards the costal margin in the distal third, but well remote from it proximally; Rs with 2 long branches; stem of R, stem of M and 'CuA touching each other in the proximal third of the wing ; mp area large.
Th8e generic name is derived from the Greek words ankos and ptera (curve + wings) and is considered neuter plural. Type species : A ncoptera permiana, n.sp. Ancoptera permiana, n.sp.
Figure 2
This species is based upon a well preserved adult wing, with the narrowed basal part missing. The long anterior branch of Rl is probably only an individual variation. Besides the holotype, another specimen (no. 31/1974, fig. 10) was found, this being the distal part of a wing. In this wing fragment, the apical part is more pointed and the Rs branches are much shorter than in the holotype. The veins and cross veins are surrounded by dark-colored, narrow bands, as in Dictyoneurella. Specimen no. 31/1974 probably belongs to a separate species, but because of the small size of the fragment it is referred here to Ancoptera sp.
Wing: length about 43 mm, width, 9.8 mm. Posterior margin with 4 undulations in the distal part of the wing, Rs diverging from Rl at about the first fifth of the wing length; first branch of Rs originating much before mid-wing; MP with a series of 3 branches; CUP forming a wide fork, mp-cua area and cup-anal area are wide. Intercalated sectors long and regular.
Holotype: no. 30/1974
(wing fragment, length 36 mm, width
9.8 mm; obverse and reverse) ; specimen no. 31/1974 (wing frag- ment, length 3 1.5 mm, width 10.7 mm; reverse). Paleontological Institute of Charles University, Prague.



================================================================================

19751 Kukalova-Peck - Megasecoptera 13
Family Engisopteridae, new family
Wings: narrow, but not o etiolate, almost uniformly broad in distal half; posterior margin not undulated. Postcostal vein present; Sc terminating shortly before mid-wing, subcostal area relatively broad ; Rs short; ma area large and rich in long branches, mp area narrow; CuA simple, CUP with long branches. Cross veins numerous, inter- calated sectors present.
This family differs from the Arcioneuridae in the broader wings, the presence of the postcostal vein, the shorter Rs, and larger ma^. and cup areas. From the primitive family Archineuridae it differs in its relatively broad subcostal area, short Sc and Rs and in the more nearly parallel arrangement of median and cubital branches. The family Engisopteridae has several characteristics of venation which are among the most primitive known in the Megasecoptera: the relatively broad subcostal area with a series of Sc branches, the postcostal vein, and the generalized, richly branched venation (except for a simple CuA) . These particular features are palaeodictyopterous in character, and they are more primitive than their structure in Anchineuridae.
The postcostal vein, which I consider homologous with the "costal brace" of Ephemeroptera, is present in almost all Palaeodictyoptera. In addition to the Engisopteridae, the vein has been found in the Mischo~teridae (Carpenter & Richardson 1968, fig. I, 2), in both adult and nymphal wings. It is probable that this inconspicuous vein has been overlooked in several other families. The postcostal veins are completely reduced in families with a convexly bent Sc at the very base, as in Protohymenidae or Alectoneuridae. Engisoptera, new genus
Wings: more or less elongate-oval in shape, narrowed across the anal area. C, Sc and Rl equidistant from each other in the distal half of the wing; Sc terminating on C; Rs very remote from Rl, sending off 2 short branches; MA, MP, and CUP branches origi- nating very anteriorly. Cross veins almost regular. The most conspicuous character of this new genus is the branches of the main veins originating very anteriorly in the wing. A similar branching pattern is present in the hind wings of some Palaeodicty- optera.
The generic name is derived from the Greek words engys and ptera (near + wings) and is considered neuter plural. Type species : Engisoptera simplices, n.sp.



================================================================================




================================================================================

19751 Kukcdova-Peck - Megasecoptera 15
Holotype: no. 32/1974 (wing fragment, length 18 mm, width 4 mm ; obverse) . Paleontological Institute of Charles University, Prague.
Family Alectoneuridae, new family
Wings: very narrow in the proximal third but not etiolate, broad- est beyond mid-wing. Venation simplified ; Sc terminating before the apical third; stems of R and M not coalesced in the basal third; RS diverging from Rl 'before mid-wing; MA adjoining or coalescing with Rs for a short distance.
IA with a series of long branches.
Cross veins few.
The venation of Alectoneuridae is very close to that of Mischop- teridae. However, the shape of the wing is less specialized in lacking the petiole, and the anal area has a more generalized venation. The basal part of the wing, including the convex basal bend of the sub-