Mesoblattina protypa ( Geinitz, 1880 )

Vrsansky, Peter & Ansorge, Jörg, 2007, Lower Jurassic cockroaches (Insecta: Blattaria) from Germany and England, African Invertebrates 48 (1), pp. 103-126 : 108-109

Mesoblattina protypa ( Geinitz, 1880)

Fig. 1

Blattina (Mesoblattina) protypa: Geinitz 1880: 519 , fig. 1 [Fw, FGWG 117/1].

Mesoblattina protypa (Geinitz) : Handlirsch 1906 –08: 428, pl. 40, fig. 19.

Diagnosis: Sclerotised forewings with length about 8 mm; total number of veins at margin (excluding 6–10 A) about 38.

Description: Clavus very short, ending in basal fourth of wing, with fewer than 12 branches. Cu with 5 parallel veins and possibly one additional basal connection to margin, reaching wing apex. M rich, with about 12 branches, most of which in anterior part; R with 14–18 and possibly more branches. Sc poorly branched.

Holotype (examined): FGWG 117 /1, isolated forewing. GERMANY: Mecklenburg : former clay pit of Schwinz , near Dobbertin; carbonate concretions of the marine “Green Series” clay, Lower Toarcian, exaratum Subzone.

Additional material examined: Grimmen: LGA 1320, LGA 1942; Dobbertin: FGWG 219(1), LDA 595, LDA 1086; Mistelgau: M 29, M 73 (all forewings).

Remarks: The crossvein-like fusion of radial veins at the very apex of the wing in the specimen LGA 1942 ( Fig. 1E ) is an unusual character and has no taxonomic value. Generally, vein fusions are more frequent in the material from Grimmen. This might have been caused by conditions of destabilised ecosystems (Vrsanský v 2005) within the islands, where the numerous fossils have been found.

Figures

Fig. 1. Mesoblattina protypa Geinitz, 1880: (A–C) LGA 1942, forewing, Lower Toarcian of Grimmen; (D–F) FGWG 117/1, holotype, forewing, Lower Toarcian of Dobbertin.