A remarkable insect from the Pennsylvanian of the Joggins Formation in Nova Scotia, Canada: insights into unusual venation of Brodiidae and nymphs of Megasecoptera

Abstract

The discovery of a new megasecopteron, Brodia jogginsensis sp. nov., is reported from the Joggins Formation, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nova Scotia, Canada. The new species diagnosis is based on the unique pattern of hind wing venation bearing three anterior branches of MP and pectinate CuP with four posterior branches. Its occurrence in Langsettian deposits of the Maritimes Basin correspond well with other Pennsylvanian Brodiidae known from the Coal Measures of the UK and Mazon Creek in Illinois, USA. Based on our re-examination, we propose to transfer the genus Pyebrodia, with P. martinsnetoi Brauckmann & Herd, 2003 Brauckmann, C. & Herd, K. J. 2003. Insekten-Funde aus dem Westfalium D (Ober-Karbon) des Piesberges bei Osnabrück (Deutschland). Teil 1: Palaeoptera. Osnabrücker Naturwissenschaftliche Mitteilungen, 28 (2002), 27–69. [Google Scholar], described as a putative member of Brodiidae, into Palaeodictyoptera family incertae sedis as it lacks most of the diagnostic features of Brodiidae. The holotype of Eubrodia dabasinskasi Carpenter, 1967 Carpenter, F. M. 1967. Studies on North American Carboniferous insects. Part 5. Palaeodictyoptera and Megasecoptera from Illinois and Tennessee with a discussion of the order Sypharopteroidea. Psyche, 74, 58–84.[Crossref] , [Google Scholar], housed in a private collection, was supplemented by the description of an additional specimen housed in The Field Museum, Chicago. The fossil record of Brodiidae is reviewed and additional remarks concerning the wing morphology and the function of specialized structures, such as reinforcements in the form of a specialized crossvein between A1 and CuP, are given. Putative nymphs of Brodiidae and development of wings in Megasecoptera are discussed.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:741846CB-FAD0-4103-90D3-2896D8909E94