Rasnitsynala, Zessin, Wolfgang, Brauckmann, Carsten & Groening, Elke, 2011

Zessin, Wolfgang, Brauckmann, Carsten & Groening, Elke, 2011, Rasnitsynala sigambrorum gen. et sp. n., a small odonatopterid (" Eomeganisoptera ", " Erasipteridae ") from the early Late Carboniferous of Hagen-Vorhalle (Germany), ZooKeys 130, pp. 57-66 : 58-59

Rasnitsynala gen. n.

Type (and only known) species.

Rasnitsynala sigambrorum gen. et sp. n.

Diagnosis.

As for the type species (due to the temporarily monospecific status). Thus far the physically smallest genus of the " Erasipteridae " with typical morphology of distal venation: kink between CuA+ and CuP– very short, ICu area forming a high triangle, and angle between AA1+ and CuA+ nearly 45°.

Discussion.

In its general characters (small size, venation, and cell configuration) Rasnitsynala gen. n. closely resembles the previously described genera of the " Erasipteridae " as defined by Brauckmann and Zessin (1989), in particular Zessinella Brauckmann, 1988, and is therefore placed in this family. It differs from all other " Erasipteridae " in the basal course of CuA+ and CuP– with very short kink. In the mesothoracic wing, AA1+ runs steeply towards the posterior margin, only similar to Aulertupus tembrocki Zessin & Brauckmann, 2010 (Fig. 1). The basal intercubital area (ICu area) resembles a relatively high triangle with its point downwards. In Erasipteron Pruvost, 1933, Erasipteroides Brauckmann and Zessin, 1989, Erasipterella Brauckmann, 1983 and Zessinella this area is more a parallelogram with relatively short branch-lines. Whalleyala Brauckmann and Zessin, 1989 is much larger, and AA1+ is subparallel to the distal Cu; in contrast AA1+ forms an angle of about 45° with the distal Cu, in particular CuA+, in Rasnitsynala gen. n. Additionally Campyloptera Brongniart, 1893 again differs distinctly in this distal part of the venation as well as in its larger size.

Etymology.

In honour of Professor Dr Alexandr P. Rasnitsyn (Moscow).