Jurahylobittacus, Li & Ren & Shih, 2008

Li, Yan-Li, Ren, Dong & Shih, Chung-Kun, 2008, Two Middle Jurassic hanging-flies (Insecta: Mecoptera: Bittacidae) from Northeast China, Zootaxa 1929 (1), pp. 38-46 : 42

Genus Jurahylobittacus gen. nov.

Type species. Jurahylobittacus astictus sp. nov.

Etymology. The generic name is a combination of the Jurassic and Hylobittacus (a recent genus of Bittacidae ).

Diagnosis. Vein Sc long, ending distally far beyond the fork of Rs; one subcostal cross-vein (Scv) between Sc and R 1; vein R 1 running through pterostigma, is distally scoop-shaped; one pterostigmal crossvein (Pcv); one cross-vein between R 1 and Rs before pterostigma; vein Rs with four branches, dividing slightly before the fork of M; vein M four branches, and the fork of M 3+4 is close to posterior part of ‘Kreuz der Bittaciden’ (r 4+5 -m 1 and m 1+2 -m 3 cross-veins); two cross-veins between M 4 and CuA; and vein 1A terminating far beyond the origin of Rs.

Based on characteristics of the wing (very narrow basally, broadened distally; pterostigma well developed; and CuA coalesced with M basally), the new scorpion-fly belongs to the Bittacidae .

In general the new genus is similar in forewing venation to living genus Hylobittacus , but differs in details of wing venation: one pterostigmal cross-vein joining to R 2; one cross-vein between R 1 and R 2+3 before pterostigma; and two cross-veins between M 4 and CuA. Based on the forewing venation, the new genus is also closely related to fossil genus Sibirobittacus . But it differs from the latter by no cross-vein between Sc and Costa and one Scv. Furthermore the new genus is associated with a similar extinct genus Preanabittacus . But it can be distinguished from Preanabittacus by the following characters: Sc terminating at a point before the fork of R 2+3; R 1 is distally scoop-shaped; and one Pcv joining R 1 to R 2.

At present one living genus ( Bittacus ) and four fossil genera ( Liaobittacus , Megabittacus , Sibirobittacus and Megolbittacus) have been recorded in China. Jurahylobittacus differs from them in one Scv, one Pcv, one cross-vein between R 1 and R 2+3, and two cross-veins between M 4 and CuA. Furthermore it can be distinguished from other currently known genera by a combination of the following characters: one Scv, one Pcv, Rs with four branches, one cross-vein joining R 1 to R 2+3, M divided into M 1+2 and M 3+4. M 3+4 dividing close to posterior part of ‘Kreuz der Bittaciden, two cross-veins between M 4 and CuA, and 1A terminating beyond the fork of Rs. Therefore, it is reasonable to erect the new genus Jurahylobittacus .