Dragonfly

Biology

Zoology

Cretaceous

Philosophy

Paleontology

Burmese

Odonata

Anisoptera

Linguistics

Journal of Systematic Palaeontology

Amber inclusions have been studied for several centuries, but true dragonflies are extremely rare, with only several poorly preserved wings recorded. In Burmese amber, odonatans are relatively diverse, but true dragonflies are still rare. An excellently preserved true dragonfly, Burmagomphides electronica Zheng, Nel & Wang gen. et sp. nov., representing the new family Burmagomphidae Zheng, Nel & Wang fam. nov., is described here from Cretaceous Burmese amber. This is the first well-preserved true dragonfly with complete wings in this amber. It is attributed to the clade Oligophlebiata because it has symmetrical RP branches at the midfork and a well-developed trigonal planate as in the clade Hagenioidea, and the vein CuAa distinctly shortened with reduced pectinate branching as in Brevicubitalia; it differs, however, from the latter two in having a narrow hind wing base.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9E2B3C24-B4D7-43E5-B013-32245D301167

A well-preserved true dragonfly (Anisoptera: Gomphides: Burmagomphidae fam. nov.) from Cretaceous Burmese amber