Caloblattina mathildae (Geinitz, 1883)

Vrsansky, Peter & Ansorge, Jörg, 2007, Lower Jurassic cockroaches (Insecta: Blattaria) from Germany and England, African Invertebrates 48 (1), pp. 103-126 : 109-110

Caloblattina mathildae (Geinitz, 1883)

Fig. 2

Blattina mathildae: Geinitz 1883: 29 , pl. 6, fig. 1 [Fw, holotype FGWG 118 /1, examined].

Caloblattina mathildae (Geinitz) : Handlirsch 1906 –08: 430, pl. 40, fig. 21.

Pachyneuroblattina rigida: Handlirsch 1906 –08:433, pl. 40, fig.34 [Fw, holotype FGWG 122 /13, examined].

Syn. n.

Apistoblattula convexa: Bode 1953: 115 , pl. 5, fig. 94 [Fw, holotype Hi 1, examined]. Syn. n. Strebloblattula beienrodensis: Bode 1953: 116 , pl. 5, fig. 95 [Fw, SNM W 12]. Syn. n.

Palmoblattina gottingensis: Bode 1953: 117 , pl. 5, fig. 96 [Fw, holotype G 402-8, examined]. Syn. n. Macroblattina elegans: Bode 1953: 119 , pl. 6, fig. 98 [Fw, SNM B 47]. Syn. n.

Polyphleboblatta tenuis: Bode 1953: 121 , pl. 6, fig. 101 [Hw, holotype G 402-10, examined]. Syn. n. Mesoblattina (?) grandis: Bode 1953: 125, pl. 6, fig. 99 [Hw, Cl 106]. Syn. n.

Diagnosis: Large species with rich venation and intercalaries that are visible even in poorly preserved material. Total number of veins about 65–75; forewing length about 25 mm; membrane heavily sclerotised.

Description: Forewing 23–30 mm long. Sc richly branched; R with 12–21 and possibly more branches; M with 9–20 veins; Cu with 11 to 22 veins. Clavus with rich venation; A branched, with about 18 branchelets at the margin. Clavus reaching basal third of wing.

Holotype (examined): FGWG 118 /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 besides the holotypes mentioned in the synonymy list: Dobbertin, LDA 702; Schandelah, S 300.

Remarks: C. mathildae is generally a rare species, which is absent from the rich oryctocoenosis of Grimmen. Since there are no taphonomic reasons to explain its absence, it can only be supposed that C. mathildae did not live in the source area of the Grimmen insects.

Although forewings of this species have never been found in association with corresponding hindwings, Polyphleboblatta tenuis and Mesoblattina (?) grandis, being 23 mm long, fit well to the forewing size and are regarded as synonyms of C. mathildae .

Figures

Fig. 2. Caloblattina mathildae (Geinitz, 1883): (A, B, G) S 300, forewing, Lower Toarcian of Schandelah near Brunswick (B, covered with ammonium chloride); (C–D) LDA 702, forewing, Lower Toarcian of Dobbertin; (E) G 402-8, holotype of Palmoblattina gottingensis Bode, 1953, forewing, Lower Toarcian of Hondelage near Brunswick; (F) G 402-10, holotype of Polyphleboblatta tenuis Bode, 1953, hindwing, Lower Toarcian of Hondelage near Brunswick; (H) FGWG 118/1, holotype of Blattina mathildae Geinitz, 1883, Lower Toarcian of Dobbertin.