Liadoblattina blakei ( Scudder, 1886 )

Vrsansky, Peter & Ansorge, Jörg, 2007, Lower Jurassic cockroaches (Insecta: Blattaria) from Germany and England, African Invertebrates 48 (1), pp. 103-126 : 110-113

Liadoblattina blakei ( Scudder, 1886)

Figs 3 , 4

Mesoblattina blakei: Scudder 1886: 452 , pl. 46, fig. 12 [Fw, holotype NHML I. 3574, examined].

Mesoblattina bensoni: Scudder 1886: 453 , pl. 46, fig 17 [Fw, holotype NHML I. 3562, examined]. Syn. n. Mesoblattopsis bensoni (Scudder) : Handlirsch 1906 –08: 428, pl. 40, fig. 12.

Liadoblattina blakei (Scudder) : Handlirsch 1906 –08: 428, pl. 40, fig. 17.

(? Mesoblattina ) z irkelii: Handlirsch 1906 –08: 435, pl. 40, fig. 39 [Hw, holotype FGWG 121 /6, examined] .

Syn. n.

(? Mesoblattina ) polyneura: Handlirsch 1939: 64 , pl. 5, fig. 92 [Hw, holotype FGWG 123 /33, examined].

Syn. n.

Trirhabdoblattina borealis: Bode 1953: 118 , pl. 5, fig. 97 [Fw, SNM B 120]. Syn. n.

Ptyctoblattina acuteplicata: Bode 1953: 122 , pl. 6, fig. 102 [Hw, SNM W 49]. Syn. n.

Ptyctoblattina completa: Bode 1953: 123 , pl. 6, fig. 103 [Hw, Hi 9]. Syn. n.

Diagnosis: Medium sized, with both wings coloured. Forewings elongated, as much as 3 times as long as wide (length ca. 20 mm). Clavus more than twice as long as wide.

Description: Wings membranous, with distinct coloration. Forewing with simple or weakly branched Sc and narrow costal space; gently curved R with about 15 branches, with M and Cu system developed to same degree (together with some 15 veins); rich A (at or above 10). Numerous cross-veins joined in intercalaries. Diagonal kink present in anal field.

Hindwing with simple Sc, R divided into R1 and RS (10–20 veins); M with up to 5 or more branches; Cu rich with at least 8 veins. A1 reduced compared to other related species, with 2 branches and several blind branches.

Holotype (examined): NHML I. 3574, isolated forewing. ENGLAND: Gloucesteshire : Alderton; Upper Lias.

Additional material besides the holotypes mentioned in the synonymy list examined: Dobbertin, Fw LDA 336, FGWG 223 (2); Schandelah, Fw S 3-14; Holzmaden H 5, H 29, forewings .

Remarks: A 1 in the hindwing seems to be formed similarly to that in Blattulidae . The taxon appears to be rather advanced, probably with actively flying individuals.Although never found associated with forewings, it is supposed that the similarly coloured hindwings, listed in the above synonymy, represent hindwings of Liadoblattina blakei . With a length of about 15 mm they fit well to the forewing size.

The coloration could serve as disruptive markings against visually adept predators (see Jarzembowski 1994).

Figures

Fig. 3. Liadoblattina blakei (Scudder, 1886), photographs of specimens: (A) NHML I. 3562 holotype of Mesoblattopsis bensoni (Scudder, 1886), forewing, Upper Lias of Dumbleton, Gloucestershire, England; (B) NHML I. 3574, holotype of Mesoblattina blakei Scudder, 1886, Upper Lias of Alderton, Gloucestershire, England; (C–D) FGWG 223, forewing, Lower Toarcian of Dobbertin; (E–F) LDA 336, forewing, Lower Toarcian of Dobbertin.

Fig. 4. Liadoblattina blakei (Scudder, 1886), details of wing venation: (A) NHML I. 3574, holotype of Mesoblattina blakei Scudder, 1886, Upper Lias of Alderton, Gloucestershire, England; (B, C) LDA 336, forewing, Lower Toarcian of Dobbertin (C, detail of intercalary veins); (D) FGWG 121/6, holotype of Mesoblattina zirkelii Handlirsch, 1906, hindwing, Lower Toarcian of Dobbertin; (E) FGWG 123/33, holotype of?Mesoblattina polyneura Handlirsch, 1939, hindwing, Lower Toarcian of Dobbertin.