A new fossil hawker dragonfly (Odonata: aff. Aeshnidae) from the Eocene Messel maar

Abstract With nearly 500 globally distributed species, Aeshnidae is one of the major groups of dragonflies (Odonata: Anisoptera). Most aeshnids are fast and efficient flyers, spending much of their daily active period in the air. The adults are well distinguishable from other dragonflies, not least by their wing venation, which features two conspicuous reinforcement structures (intercalary veins). Aeshnidae has a comparatively rich fossil record, with some alleged crown group species dating back to the Cretaceous. Here, we present three fossil finds from the Eocene of Messel (Hesse, Germany). The first find is an isolated hind wing of a female individual, the second find comprises a pair of forewings attached to indiscernible trunk remains and the third find is a hindwing fragment with poorly preserved venation. The fossils are preserved in strongly compressed, densely laminated siltstone slabs rich in organic compounds (‘oil shale’). The fossil remains are herein interpreted as conspecific due to striking similarities in the wing venation and are subsequently recognised as a new species – † Eopetalia messelensis gen. et sp. nov. – after comparison with other species. The new species from Messel morphologically fits well into an assemblage of similar-aged extinct species, all of them having in common their uncertain affinity with the Aeshnidae crown group.