New data and systematic considerations on the Blattogryllopterida (Insecta: Grylloblattida) from the Jurassic Daohugou locality in China

Abstract

The systematics of the Blattogryllopterida (Grylloblattida) from the Jurassic Daohugou locality (China) is reconsidered. The holotypes of Plesioblattogryllus magnificus and Duoduo qianae are examined and new synonymies are proposed: Plesioblattogryllus Huang, Nel & Petrulevičius, 2008 = Duoduo Cui, 2012, syn. nov.; Plesioblattogryllus magnificus Huang, Nel & Petrulevičius, 2008 = Duoduo qianae Cui, 2012, syn. nov. The holotype of Plesioblattogryllus minor Ren & Aristov, 2011 is reinvestigated and re-documented, and a new well-preserved single wing of this rare species, also uncovered from the Jurassic Daohugou locality, is described. Besides the holotype, it is the first specimen exhibiting well-exposed wing venation characters for the species. Particular characters, such as the desclerotised MP, are better observed and complemented by Reflectance Transforming Imaging documentation. The new specimen might be a hind wing with a reduced plicatum, a trait yet unknown in grylloblattids. Based on these new data it occurs that, in contrast to P. magnificus and most Blattogryllopterida, the species possesses a long RP+MA fusion, with a long basal free part of MA and a very short basal free section of RP. Together with other characters, it justifies the erection of new genus, Aristoviblattogryllus gen. nov., to accommodate the species Aristoviblattogryllus minor (Ren & Aristov, 2011), comb. nov.