An exceptionally preserved antlion (insecta, neuroptera) with colour pattern preservation from the cretaceous of Brazil

Sam W. Heads, David M. Martill, Robert F. Loveridge

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

A new species of palaeoleontid neuropteran Baisopardus cryptohymen sp. nov. is described. The holotype is remarkable for the preservation of fine body structures and colour patterning on all of its four wings. The specimen is nearly complete, lacking only the abdomen and the right mesothoracic leg, and is preserved as a black-brown compression in laminated limestone of the Nova Olinda Member, Crato Formation (late Aptian, Early Cretaceous), Ceará, Brazil. The colour pattern of the forewings comprises a series of dark brown bands that overlap with colourless bands of the hindwings; it produced a cryptic colour pattern when the wings were folded.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1409-1417
Number of pages9
JournalPalaeontology
Volume48
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Brazil
  • Colour pattern preservation
  • Cretaceous
  • Insecta
  • Myrmeleontoidea
  • Neuroptera

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Palaeontology

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