Choristotanyderus

Choristotanyderus is an extinct, monotypic genus of protodipteran insect containing a single species, Choristotanyderus nanus which lived during the Permian period. The genus and species were first described by Edgar Frederick Riek in 1953 from a specimen found in New South Wales, Australia.[1] It is considered a transitional form between Mecoptera and Diptera.[2] The genus is placed in the protodipteran family Permotanyderidae with the related genus Permotanyderus.[1]

Choristotanyderus nanus
Temporal range: Upper Permian
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Protodiptera †
Family:
Permotanyderidae †
Genus:
Choristotanyderus †
Species:
C. nanus †
Binomial name
Choristotanyderus nanus †
Riek, 1953

Morphology

Choristotanyderus, despite being closely related to Diptera, retained four wings, with the hind wings being about one third as long as the forewings. These wings show the characteristic kink at the base of the R vein which is diagnostic of Diptera, but other venation patterns were more characteristic of Mecoptera .[2][3] The third thorax segment was also reduced, which has been considered another intermediate feature between the Mecoptera and the Diptera .[2]

References
  1. Neal L. Evenhuis. "Appendix II. Fossil Diptera of Australasia and Oceania". Catalog of the Diptera of the Australasian and Oceanian Regions (PDF). Hawaii Biological Survey. pp. 805–807. ISBN 90-04-08668-4.
  2. Gene Kritsky (1987). "Fossil Insects: Pests of Creation". 7 (1). National Center for Science Education: 13–19. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. E. F. Riek (1976). "Four-winged Diptera from the Upper Permian of Australia". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 101: 250–255.


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