New fossil mantidflies (Insecta: Neuroptera: Mantispidae) from the Mesozoic of north‐eastern China

• DOI: 10.1111/pala.12005
• Publication Date: 2013-05-07T15:28:09Z
• Authors: JAMES E. JEPSON; SAM W. HEADS; VLADIMIR N. MAKARKIN; DONG REN
• Keywords: Yixian Formation; Autapomorphy; Subfamily; Cenomanian; Paraphyly

Abstract: Three new genera and four species of the extinct mantidfly subfamily Mesomantispinae (Insecta: Neuroptera: Mantispidae) are described from Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation Liaoning Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Inner Mongolia: Archaeodrepanicus nuddsi gen. et sp. nov., A. acutus Sinomesomantispa microdentata (Yixian Formation) Clavifemora rotundata nov. (Jiulongshan Formation). The specimens herein represent first Mesozoic compression fossils to have body parts preserved, including specialized raptorial forelegs articulated prothorax anteriorly, an autapomorphy family. These taxa further confirm placement within family Mantispidae; however, monophyly has not been confirmed, it is likely that will prove be paraphyletic.