AZC 46 Supplement (2003)

Issue:

VOL NA

Keywords:

Odonata, Messinian, Upper Miocene, taphonomy, palaeobiology

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Dragonflies preserved in transparent gypsum crystals from the Messinian (Upper Miocene) of Alba, northern Italy

• Thomas SCHLÜTER
• Rolf KOHRING
• Hans-Jochen GREGOR

Abstract:

From the Upper Miocene (Messinian) of the Alba area in Piedmont, northern Italy, are fossil dragonflies (mainly larvae) described, which were preserved in transparent gypsum crystals. The specimens belong probably to a single species (Oryctodiplax gypsorum), but occur in various pre-imaginal stages. This individual-rich but species-poor palaeoentomofauna appears to be almost autochthonous in origin and may have developed under hypersalinar conditions in a lagoonal environment during the Messinian salinar event.