The third aeschnidiid dragonfly genus and species from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation (Odonata, Anisoptera)

Abstract

Cratoaeschnidium martinsnetoi gen. et sp. nov., third genus and species of the family Aeschnidiidae from the Crato Formation (Brazil), is described and illustrated based on one well-preserved forewing. It can be differentiated from the other genera in the family, inter alia, because its discoidal triangle is very narrow with only one row of cells; three rows of cells between Mspl and MAa, and between Rspl and IR2; one row of cells between CuAa and MP in basal part; three rows of cells between RP3/4 and MAa. This new genus and species confirms that much can be expected in regard to discovering the Odonata in the Crato Formation.