AN EXCEPTIONALLY PRESERVED ANTLION (INSECTA, NEUROPTERA) WITH COLOUR PATTERN PRESERVATION FROM THE CRETACEOUS OF BRAZIL

Abstract

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.