Systematic significance of wing morphology in extinct Prophalangopsidae (Insecta, Ensifera) revealed by geometric morphometrics and description of two new species

Prophalangopsidae was a diverse family during the Late Mesozoic, but the variation and sexual dimorphism in their forewing morphologies are rarely discussed. Based on 43 specimens - of both sexes - from eight species, an investigation into wing venation variation among/within species of Prophalangopsidae was performed using geometric morphometrics and morphological comparisons. The results indicate that wing characters are reliable for taxonomy in fossil Prophalangopsidae and that variation in wing shape and venation is common within species. The structures of the forewings are analogous between sexes within species, and it is possible to pair males and females for a fossil species. Due to the potential existence of synonyms arising from the lack of knowledge on wing venation variation within species and sexes, the species richness of fossil prophalangopsids is probably over-estimated. The role of wing venation characters in systematics and phylogenetic analysis needs to be further analysed. In addition, two new species of Prophalangopsidae from the Middle Jurassic are described.

Automated summary

The research investigates the wing venation variation among/within species of Prophalangopsidae, suggesting that these characters are reliable for taxonomy, while also highlighting the common variation in wing shape and venation within species. The study indicates the importance of wing venation characters in systematics and phylogenetic analysis.