A New Sternorrhynchan Genus and Species from the Triassic Period of China That Is Likely Related to Protopsyllidioid (Insecta, Hemiptera)

Abstract

Triassopsyllidiida pectinata gen. et sp. nov. is described from the latest Middle Triassic Tongchuan biota of China and tentatively attributed to the superfamily Protopsyllidioidea. Its forewing venation is unique among this superfamily in the anteriorly pectinate vein ScP + RA and the presence of a veinlet between R and M + CuA. Its exact position in this group remains uncertain, mainly because of the weak diagnostic value of the wing venation characters in these insects. The phylogenetic relationships of the Protopsyllidioidea are discussed.