Enigmatic and little known Odonata (Insecta) from the Paleogene of Patagonia and Northwest Argentina

Abstract

The findings of new specimens of Latibasaliidae and Frengueliidae in Northwest and Patagonia Argentina are noteworthy for the knowledge of these little know families and the explanation of their systematic position. The new findings confirm the phylogenetic position of these families. The morphology of the discoidal cell in both fore and hind wings of Frenguelia corresponds to the most basal epiproctophoran damsel-dragonflies, implying a Triassic age for the particular lineage of this family. The absence of any fossil record between Triassic and Eocene could be related to a highly specialized biology for these animals, maybe related to mountain rainforests as for Epiophlebia, unique surviving damsel-dragonfly. Lastly, the middle Eocene Italian dragonfly family Bolcathemidae Gentilini 2002 is considered as a junior synonym of the Paleocene Argentinean family Palaeomacromiidae Petrulevicius et al. 1999 supporting faunistic contact between Europe and South America during the late Cretaceous. © 2007 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.