Bohemiatupus
Encyclopedia
Bohemiatupus is an extinct genus
of griffenfly in the family Meganeuridae and containing a single
species Bohemiatupus elegans. The species is known only from the Late Carboniferous, Bolsovian stage
, Kladno Formation near the village of Radnice
in the Radnice Basin, Czech Republic
.
, specimen number "M00485" which is composed of an isolated fore-wing
and hind-wing
. The wings are preserved as a negative imprint fossil
in a sedimentary tuff
. The fossil specimen is from outcrops of the Kladno Formation exposed in the Ovčín opencast mine. Bohemiatupus elegans is the first described occurrence of large griffenflies found in the continental basins of the Bohemian Massif
. The type specimen is currently preserved in the collections housed in the West Bohemian Museum, located in Plzeň, Czech Republic
. Bohemiatupus was first studied by Jakub Prokop of Charles University in Prague
, Czech Republic and André Nel of the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle
in Paris, France. Their 2008 type description of the genus and species was published in the journal Annales de la Société Entomologique de France
. The generic
name was coined by Prokop and Nel from a combination of the "Bohemia
" in reference to the historical central European region and the meganeurid genus Tupus to which Bohemiatupus is related. The etymology
of the specific epithet
elegens is Latin
and refers to the "magnificent state of preservation" displayed by the holotype.
The ecosystem in which Bohemiatupus elegans lived is interpreted as a shallow lake that developed into a peat-mire
due to sediment infill from volcanic ash during the Bolsovian. Bohemiatupus elegans shared this environment with the notably large insect species Bojophlebia prokopi and Carbotriplura kukalovae, which were described from the Kladno Formation earlier.
that may have been present in life and are interpreted to have been hyaline
in nature. The preserved segment of the fore-wing is 115 millimetres (4.5 in) giving an estimated full length for the wing of approximately 260 millimetres (10.2 in). An adult Bohemiatupus elegans would have had a full wingspan of around 520 millimetres (20.5 in). The overall size larger than the 150 millimetres (5.9 in) wingspan of the older genus Sinomeganeura huangheensis. However this is still smaller than other members of the subfamily such as Meganeuropsis permiana
which is noted for a wingspan exceeding 700 millimetres (27.6 in). Several key vein structure features present in the fore-wing show Bohemiatupus elegans to be a member of the meganeurid subfamily Tupinae close to the genus Tupus. The AA1 vein possesses several rearward branches, and the CuP vein has a number of concave branches, while the braces CuP and CuA are oblique but not fused into a single vein. Overall the hind-wing is distinctly wider in the cubito-anal area than that of Tupus, where the hind and fore wings are similar in width. B. elegans can be separated from other genera in the subfamily by various aspects of the fine vein structuring in the wing.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of griffenfly in the family Meganeuridae and containing a single
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
species Bohemiatupus elegans. The species is known only from the Late Carboniferous, Bolsovian stage
Westphalian
Westphalian may refer to:* The culture or people of the Westphalia region of Germany* Westphalian language, one of the major dialect groups of West Low German* Westphalian sovereignty, a concept in international relations* Westphalian , in geology...
, Kladno Formation near the village of Radnice
Radnice
Radnice is a town in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It lies some to the northeast from the region capital of Plzeň.Radnice is also the seat of the Municipality with Commissioned Local Authority within the Plzeň Municipality with Extended Competence.In 19th century coal mining developed...
in the Radnice Basin, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
.
History and classification
Bohemiatupus elegans is known only from one fossil, the holotypeHolotype
A holotype is a single physical example of an organism, known to have been used when the species was formally described. It is either the single such physical example or one of several such, but explicitly designated as the holotype...
, specimen number "M00485" which is composed of an isolated fore-wing
Insect wing
Insects are the only group of invertebrates known to have evolved flight. Insects possess some remarkable flight characteristics and abilities, still far superior to attempts by humans to replicate their capabilities. Even our understanding of the aerodynamics of flexible, flapping wings and how...
and hind-wing
Insect wing
Insects are the only group of invertebrates known to have evolved flight. Insects possess some remarkable flight characteristics and abilities, still far superior to attempts by humans to replicate their capabilities. Even our understanding of the aerodynamics of flexible, flapping wings and how...
. The wings are preserved as a negative imprint fossil
Compression fossil
A compression fossil is a fossil preserved in sedimentary rock that has undergone physical compression. While it is uncommon to find animals preserved as good compression fossils, it is very common to find plants preserved this way...
in a sedimentary tuff
Tuff
Tuff is a type of rock consisting of consolidated volcanic ash ejected from vents during a volcanic eruption. Tuff is sometimes called tufa, particularly when used as construction material, although tufa also refers to a quite different rock. Rock that contains greater than 50% tuff is considered...
. The fossil specimen is from outcrops of the Kladno Formation exposed in the Ovčín opencast mine. Bohemiatupus elegans is the first described occurrence of large griffenflies found in the continental basins of the Bohemian Massif
Bohemian Massif
The Bohemian Massif; or Český masiv; is in the geology of Central Europe a large massif stretching over central Czech republic, eastern Germany, southern Poland and northern Austria...
. The type specimen is currently preserved in the collections housed in the West Bohemian Museum, located in Plzeň, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. Bohemiatupus was first studied by Jakub Prokop of Charles University in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Czech Republic and André Nel of the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle
Muséum national d'histoire naturelle
The Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle is the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France.- History :The museum was formally founded on 10 June 1793, during the French Revolution...
in Paris, France. Their 2008 type description of the genus and species was published in the journal Annales de la Société Entomologique de France
Annales de la Société Entomologique de France
Annales de la Société Entomologique de France is one of the oldest entomology journals in the world. It was founded in 1832, and began a new series in 1965, when it merged with and .-External links:...
. The generic
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
name was coined by Prokop and Nel from a combination of the "Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
" in reference to the historical central European region and the meganeurid genus Tupus to which Bohemiatupus is related. The etymology
Etymology
Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.For languages with a long written history, etymologists make use of texts in these languages and texts about the languages to gather knowledge about how words were used during...
of the specific epithet
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
elegens is Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and refers to the "magnificent state of preservation" displayed by the holotype.
The ecosystem in which Bohemiatupus elegans lived is interpreted as a shallow lake that developed into a peat-mire
Bog
A bog, quagmire or mire is a wetland that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material—often mosses or, in Arctic climates, lichens....
due to sediment infill from volcanic ash during the Bolsovian. Bohemiatupus elegans shared this environment with the notably large insect species Bojophlebia prokopi and Carbotriplura kukalovae, which were described from the Kladno Formation earlier.
Description
The holotype wings are mostly complete with the apical section of the fore-wing folded and indistinct while the only the basal section of the hind-wing is present. The wings shows no indications of any color patteringAnimal colouration
Animal coloration is the general appearance of an animal resulting from the reflection or emission of light from its surfaces. The mechanisms for colour production in animals include pigments, chromatophores, structural coloration, and bioluminescence....
that may have been present in life and are interpreted to have been hyaline
Hyaline
The term hyaline denotes a substance with a glass-like appearance.-Histopathology:In histopathological medical usage, a hyaline substance appears glassy and pink after being stained with haematoxylin and eosin — usually it is an acellular, proteinaceous material...
in nature. The preserved segment of the fore-wing is 115 millimetres (4.5 in) giving an estimated full length for the wing of approximately 260 millimetres (10.2 in). An adult Bohemiatupus elegans would have had a full wingspan of around 520 millimetres (20.5 in). The overall size larger than the 150 millimetres (5.9 in) wingspan of the older genus Sinomeganeura huangheensis. However this is still smaller than other members of the subfamily such as Meganeuropsis permiana
Meganeuropsis permiana
Meganeuropsis is an extinct genus of griffenfly, order Protodonata, known from the Early Permian of North America, and represents the biggest known insect of all times. The genus includes two described species:...
which is noted for a wingspan exceeding 700 millimetres (27.6 in). Several key vein structure features present in the fore-wing show Bohemiatupus elegans to be a member of the meganeurid subfamily Tupinae close to the genus Tupus. The AA1 vein possesses several rearward branches, and the CuP vein has a number of concave branches, while the braces CuP and CuA are oblique but not fused into a single vein. Overall the hind-wing is distinctly wider in the cubito-anal area than that of Tupus, where the hind and fore wings are similar in width. B. elegans can be separated from other genera in the subfamily by various aspects of the fine vein structuring in the wing.