The first Chinese Tarsophlebiidae from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation, with morphological and phylogenetic implications (Odonatoptera: Panodonata)

The Early Cretaceous Turanophlebia sinica sp. nov. is the first Chinese representative of the enigmatic family Tarsophlebiidae. The exquisite preservation of the type specimen allows to precise several important morphological structures of phylogenetic importance, i.e. three-segmented tarsi, with basal tarsomere very long; and absence of subapical tooth on tarsal claw. If the first character not longer supports a basal position for Tarsophlebiidae, the second confirms it. The presence of a fore leg tibial comb supports the hypothesis that the reduced tibial comb of the Hemiphlebiidae is apomorphic for this last group.