The Mesozoic non-calopterygoid Zygoptera: description of new genera and species from the Lower Cretaceous of England and Brazil and their phylogenetic significance (Odonata, Zygoptera, Coenagrionoidea, Hemiphlebioidea, Lestoidea)

The earliest fossils which belong to the Coenagrionoidea (or Hemiphlebioidea), Parahemiphlebia cretacica gen. nov., sp. nov., and P. allendaviesi sp. nov., from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil and southern England respectively, have non-petiolated wings. Consequently, a long wing petiolation may result from evolutionary convergence between different superfamilies of Zygoptera: Calopterygoidea, Lestoidea, Coenagrionoidea and (to a lesser degree) Hemiphlebioidea. The phylogenetic relationships of the Lower Cretaceous subfamily Euarchistigmatinae Carle & Wighton 1990, based on Euarchistigma atrophium Carle & Wighton 1990 from Brazil (Araripe Basin), and the Triassic family Italophlebiidae Whalley 1986 (Italy) are discussed. The relationships of the extant family Hemiphlebiidae are also considered, as are those of the fossil genus Eoprotoneura Carle & Wighton 1990 (Lower Cretaceous of Brazil) which belongs to the Protoneuridae + Isostictidae. The low phylogenetic value of characters used in the current diagnosis of the Protoneuridae, Isostictidae and Platystictidae is demonstrated and a 'new' interpretation of the wing venation of the Platystictidae is proposed. The phylogenetic position of the Lower Cretaceous genus Cretacoenagrion Jarzembowski 1990 from the Wealden of the Weald is discussed and several new genera and species of Wealden Zygoptera are described from southern England, viz. Cretarchistigma greenwoodi gen. nov., sp. nov. (questionably placed in the subfamily Euarchistigmatinae), Cretahemiphlebia rossi gen. nov., sp: nov. (family undetermined) and Cretalestes martinae gen. nov., sp. nov. (lestoid?). A key is provided. (C) 1998 Academic Press.