IDENTITY OF MIOMOPTERA AND GLOSSELYTRODEA (INSECTA: PALAEOMANTEIDA, JURINIDA) DESCRIBED FROM THE POTRERILLOS AND LOS RASTROS FORMATIONS, UPPER TRIASSIC OF ARGENTINA

Abstract

Upper Triassic (Carnian) Los Rastros and Potrerillos formations (Argentina) are famous for their fossil insects. Some interesting Triassic fossil insects are reviewed in this work. The present paper is devoted to four described extinct Paleozoic species from two orders, Miomoptera and Glosselytrodea. Miomina mendozina Martins-Neto & Gallego, 1999 from the Potrerillos Formation is described as Miomoptera based on a unique holotype which has not been located. After reviewing the published illustrations, we conclude that it is possibly a plant remain and not an insect wing. Miomina riojana Martins-Neto & Gallego, 2006 from the Los Rastros Formation, represents a wing fragment with a few short veins and we prefer to leave it identified as questionably assigned to the Order Miomoptera. Both fossils assigned to Glosselytrodea come from the Los Rastros Formation. Argentinoglosselytrina pulchella Martins-Neto & Gallego, 2001 represents a distinct genus and species of the glosselytrodean family Glosselytridae, redescribed herein. In contrast, Chanarelytrina nana Martins-Neto & Gallego, 2006 represents the detached clavus (anal section of a forewing) of Saaloscytina carmonae Martins-Neto et al., 2006 (Hemiptera, Scytinopteroidea, Saaloscytinidae). Argentinoglosselytrina pulchella from the Upper Triassic of Argentina represents the only specimen from an extinct order that characterized the Paleozoic, which reflects the differences between this fauna and that of Central Asia, which is richer in ancient groups. Its modified morphology suggests a possible event of origin of a high-ranked and early aborted evolutionary line.

Keywords

• Carnian
• Cuyo-Bermejo Basins
• Fossil insects
• Hemiptera