Republica weatbrooki

Last updated

Republica weatbrooki
Republica weatbrooki holotype SR 06-59-08 img1.tif
holotype wing
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera
Family: Euphaeidae
Genus:† Republica
Species:
†R. weatbrooki
Binomial name
†Republica weatbrooki
Archibald & Cannings, 2022

Republica is an extinct zygopteran genus in the damselfly family Euphaeidae with a single described species, Republica weatbrooki. The species is solely known from the Early Eocene sediments exposed in the northeast of the U.S. state of Washington.

Contents

Distribution

Republica weatbrooki is known from a single location in the Eocene Okanagan Highlands, an outcrop of the Ypresian Klondike Mountain Formation in Republic. [1] The holotype was recovered from the UWBM site B4131, which is designated the type locality, on May 24, 2006. Modern work on the fossil-bearing strata of the formation via radiometrically dating has given an estimated age in the Late Ypresian stage of the early Eocene, between 49.4  ± .5 million years ago at the youngest, [2] with an oldest age estimate of 51.2  ± 0.1 million years ago, given based on detrital zircon isotopic data published in 2021. [3]

History and classification

Republica weatbrooki was identified from only the type specimen, the holotype, number SR 06-59-08, which is a compression fossil preserved in the Stonerose Interpretive Center paleoentomological collection. The holotype was found at the Klondike Mountain Formations "B4131" locality, [1] also called the "Boot hill" site. [4] The fossil was described by paleontologist S. Bruce Archibald and entomologist Robert Cannings in 2021 and they coined the specific epithet weatbrooki as a patronym honoring Alex Weatbrook who found the fossil and donated it to Stonerose. They chose the genus name as a latinized feminine form of the city name Republic. [1]

Archibald and Cannings (2022) placed the new genus into the damselfly family Euphaeidae, extending the known range of the fossil lineage in the family to the Ypresian northwestern North American. The placement was based on the angle and thickened appearance in the quadrangle cells distal wall, densely reticulate venation, plus a smoothly "S"-curved CuA vein, which match Euphaeidae while being contrary to the family Zacallitidae. Within Euphaeidae, Republica was placed in subfamily Eodichromatinae based on the presence of enlarged and thickened Ax1 and Ax2 veins near the base of the wing. Of the members of Eodichromatinae, the closest genus to Republic seems to be Labandeiraia , known from Ypresian species described from the Green River Formation in North America and the Fur Formation and Oise Amber in Europe. [1] [5] Modern Euphaeidae species are found in the Australasian, Indomalayan, and Palearctic biogeographic realms, while the known fossil record restricted to Europe and North America. [1]

With the naming of the genus, Archibald and Cannings created a hemihomonym. The damselfly is the second Klondike Mountain Formation genus named Republica with the enigmatic plant Republica being named by Jack Wolfe and Wesley Wehr in 1987. [6] [1]

Description

Major damselfly wing veins Pseudagrion microcephalum wing 0117.svg
Major damselfly wing veins

The only known forewing is 40.7 mm (1.60 in) long and 10.4 mm (0.41 in) at its widest giving it a length to width ratio of 3.9, narrower than several other eodichromatines. The length between wing base and nodus is 14.0 mm (0.55 in) while the length to pterostigma is 33.3 mm (1.31 in). The pterostigma is elongate, being 4.0 mm (0.16 in) long and only 0.7 mm (0.028 in) wide, and has slanted cell walls on both the basal and apical sides. [1]

Due to poor preservation of the finer venation of the wing, many of the delicate crossveins between more robust major veins are missing making total vein counts impossible from the holotype. The space between the Costa, which forms the frontal wing edge, and the Subcosta has at least 26 crossveins and likely more, all positioned between the Ax1 crossvein near the wing base and the nodus. Both the An isolated crossvein is present between the Ax1 and Ax2 veins of the other C-Sc space, both of which are distinctly more robust than any crossveins in the space. [1]

The wing was possibly slightly darkened across the basal region of the wing, with a lighter to hyaline window across the apical 1/3 of the wing surrounding a darkened tip area. However Archibald and Cannings noted the possibility of this "coloration" being a result of preservation artifacts and not coloration during life. [1]

Paleoenvironment

USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Republic
Red pog.svg
Puget
class=notpageimage|
Republica distribution

The formation preserves an upland lake system surrounded by a mixed conifer–broadleaf forest with nearby volcanism. [7] The pollen flora has notable elements of birch and golden larch, and distinct trace amounts of fir, spruce, cypress, and palm. [8] Wolfe and Tanai (1987) interpreted the forest climate to have been microthermal, [9] [6] having distinct seasonal temperature swings which dipped below freezing in the winters. However, further study has shown the lake system was surrounded by a warm temperate ecosystem that likely had a mesic upper microthermal to lower mesothermal climate, in which winter temperatures rarely dropped low enough for snow, and which were seasonably equitable. [8] [10]

The Okanagan highlands paleoforest surrounding the lakes have been described as precursors to the modern temperate broadleaf and mixed forests of Eastern North America and Eastern Asia. Based on the fossil biotas the lakes were higher and cooler than the coeval coastal forests preserved in the Puget Group and Chuckanut Formation of Western Washington, which are described as lowland tropical forest ecosystems. Estimates of the paleoelevation range between 0.7–1.2 km (0.43–0.75 mi) higher than the coastal forests. This is consistent with the paleoelevation estimates for the lake systems, which range between 1.1–2.9 km (1,100–2,900 m), which is similar to the modern elevation 0.8 km (0.50 mi), but higher. [10]

Estimates of the mean annual temperature for the Klondike Mountain Formation have been derived from climate leaf analysis multivariate program (CLAMP) analysis and leaf margin analysis (LMA) of the Republic paleoflora. The CLAMP results after multiple linear regressions for Republic gave a mean annual temperature of approximately 8.0 °C (46.4 °F), while the LMA gave 9.2 ± 2.0 °C (48.6 ± 3.6 °F). This is lower than the mean annual temperature estimates given for the coastal Puget Group, which is estimated to have been between 15–18.6 °C (59.0–65.5 °F). The bioclimatic analysis for Republic suggests mean annual precipitation amounts of 115 ± 39 cm (45 ± 15 in). [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Euphaeidae</span> Family of damselflies

Euphaeidae, sometimes incorrectly named Epallagidae and commonly called gossamerwings, is a family of damselflies in the odonate superfamily Calopterygoidea. The family is small, consisting of around 78 species living species in nine genera occurring in the Palearctic, Australasia, and Asia. The family contains two subfamilies, Euphaeinae, encompassing all the living species and a single fossil genus, and the extinct Eodichromatinae, encompassing fossil genera from the Eocene to late Oligocene. Euphaeid species are large and mostly metallic-coloured, looking similar to species of damselflies in the family Calopterygidae.

<i>Tilia johnsoni</i> Extinct species of flowering plant

Tilia johnsoni is an extinct species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae that, as a member of the genus Tilia, is related to modern lindens. The species is known from fossil leaves found in the early Eocene deposits of northern Washington state, United States and a similar aged formation in British Columbia, Canada.

<i>Allorapisma</i> Extinct genus of lacewings

Allorapisma is an extinct genus of lacewing in the moth lacewings family Ithonidae. The genus is solely known from two Eocene fossils found in North America. At the time of description the genus was composed of a single species, Allorapisma chuorum.

Acer republicense is an extinct maple species in the family Sapindaceae described from a single fossil samara. The species is solely known from the Early Eocene sediments exposed in northeast Washington state, United States. It is the only species belonging to the extinct section Republica.

<i>Ainigmapsychops</i> Extinct genus of lacewings

Ainigmapsychops is an extinct genus of lacewing in the silky lacewing family Psychopsidae. The genus is solely known from an Eocene fossil found in North America. At the time of its description the new genus was composed of a single species, Ainigmapsychops inexspectatus.

<i>Eorpa</i> (genus) Extinct family of insects

Eorpidae is a small family of extinct insects in the scorpionfly order, Mecoptera, which contains a single genus, Eorpa. Three Eocene age species found in Western North America have been placed into the genus: E. elverumi, E. jurgeni, and E. ypsipeda.

<i>Pinus latahensis</i> Extinct species of conifer

Pinus latahensis is an extinct species of conifer in the pine family Pinaceae. The species is known from fossil leaves found in the early Eocene deposits of northern Washington state, United States, and southern British Columbia, Canada.

<i>Palaeopsychops</i> Extinct genus of lacewings

Palaeopsychops is an extinct genus of lacewing in the moth lacewings family Ithonidae. The genus is known from Early Eocene fossils found in Europe, and North America and is composed of ten species. The ten species can be informally separated into two species groups based on veination of the forewings, the "European" and "North American" groups. When first described, the genus was placed in the family Psychopsidae, but later was moved to Polystoechotidae, which itself is now considered a subgroup of the moth lacewings.

<i>Barghoornia</i> Extinct species of flowering plants

Barghoornia is an extinct genus of flowering plants in the family Burseraceae containing the solitary species Barghoornia oblongifolia. The species is known from fossil leaves found in the early Eocene deposits of northern Washington state, United States.

Acer spitzi is an extinct maple species in the family Sapindaceae described from a single fossil samara. The species is solely known from the Early Eocene sediments exposed in northeast Washington state, United States. It is the only species belonging to the extinct section Spitza.

<i>Carpinus perryae</i> Extinct species of hornbeam

Carpinus perryae is an extinct species of hornbeam known from fossil fruits found in the Klondike Mountain Formation deposits of northern Washington state, dated to the early Eocene Ypresian stage. Based on described features, C. perryae is the oldest definite species in the genus Carpinus.

Klondikia is an extinct hymenopteran genus in the ant family Formicidae with a single described species Klondikia whiteae. The species is solely known from the Early Eocene sediments exposed in northeast Washington state, United States. The genus is currently not placed into any ant subfamily, being treated as incertae sedis.

<i>Equisetum similkamense</i> Extinct species of fern in the family Equisetacae

Equisetum similkamense is an extinct horsetail species in the family Equisetaceae described from a group of whole plant fossils including rhizomes, stems, and leaves. The species is known from Ypresian sediments exposed in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several extinct species placed in the living genus Equisetum.

<i>Pteronepelys</i> Fossil genus of plants

Pteronepelys, sometimes known as the winged stranger, is an extinct genus of flowering plant of uncertain affinities, which contains the one species, Pteronepelys wehrii. It is known from isolated fossil seeds found in middle Eocene sediments exposed in north central Oregon and Ypresian-age fossils found in Washington, US.

<i>Promastax</i> Extinct genus of insects

Promastax is a genus of "monkey grasshoppers" belonging to the extinct monotypic family Promastacidae and containing the single species Promastax archaicus. The species is dated to the Early Eocenes Ypresian stage and has only been found at the type locality in east central British Columbia.

<i>Polystoechotites</i> Extinct genus of lacewings

Polystoechotites is an extinct parataxon of lacewings in the moth lacewing family Ithonidae. The taxon is a collective group for fossil polystechotid giant lacewing species whose genus affiliation is uncertain, but which are distinct enough to identify as segregate species. Polystoechotites species are known from Eocene fossils found in North America and is composed of four named species Polystoechotites barksdalae, Polystoechotites falcatus, Polystoechotites lewisi, and Polystoechotites piperatus, plus two unnamed species. Three of the described species are known from fossils recovered from the Eocene Okanagan Highlands of Washington State, while the fourth is from Colorado.

<i>Republicopteron</i> Genus of cricket-like animals

Republicopteron is an extinct orthopteran genus in the katydid-like family Palaeorehniidae with a single described species, Republicopteron douseae.

<i>Okanagrion</i> Extinct genus of damselflies

Okanagrion is an extinct odonate genus in the damselfly-like family Dysagrionidae. The genus was first described in 2021 with a series of eight species included from early Eocene Okanagan Highlands sites in western North America. The genus is known from the Late Ypresian sediments exposed in northeast central Washington at Republic where five species are present, and from the coeval McAbee Fossil Beds near Cache Creek in Central British Columbia, where four species are present. The species richness is attributed to high latitude high alpha diversity resulting from climatic equitability during the Early Eocene in combination with resultant beta diversity between sites due to impassible topographical barriers.

<i>Allenbya holmesae</i> Extinct genus of damselflies

Allenbya is an extinct odonate genus possibly in the damselfly-like family Dysagrionidae with the single included species Allenbya holmesae. The genus was first described in 2022 from an Early Eocene Okanagan Highlands site in western North America. The species is known from the late Ypresian sediments exposed around Princeton in Central British Columbia.

<i>Republica</i> (plant) Genus of fossil plants

Republica is an enigmatic genus of flowering plants which includes three known species: Republica hickeyi, Republica kummerensis, and Republica litseafolia. The genus has been found in Eocene age geologic formations along the Pacific coast of North America. The affiliations of Republica are uncertain, with the most recent placement being tentatively in the now broken up subclass Hamamelididae.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archibald, S. B.; Cannings, R. A. (2021). "A new genus and species of Euphaeidae (Odonata, Zygoptera) from the early Eocene Okanagan Highlands locality at Republic, Washington, U.S.A.". Zootaxa. 4966 (3): 392–400. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4966.3.11. PMID   34186607. S2CID   235557114.
  2. ↑ Makarkin, V.; Archibald, S.B. (2014). "An unusual new fossil genus probably belonging to the Psychopsidae (Neuroptera) from the Eocene Okanagan Highlands, western North America". Zootaxa. 3838 (3): 385–391. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.692.1185 . doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3838.3.8. PMID   25081783.
  3. ↑ Rubino, E.; Leier, A.; Cassel, E.; Archibald, S.; Foster-Baril, Z.; Barbeau, D. Jr (2021). "Detrital zircon UPb ages and Hf-isotopes from Eocene intermontane basin deposits of the southern Canadian Cordillera". Sedimentary Geology. 422. Bibcode:2021SedG..42205969R. doi: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2021.105969 . S2CID   237717862.
  4. ↑ Pigg, K. B.; DeVore, M. L.; Greenwood, D. R.; Sundue, M. A.; Schwartsburd, P.; Basinger, J. F. (2021). "Fossil Dennstaedtiaceae and Hymenophyllaceae from the Early Eocene of the Pacific Northwest". International Journal of Plant Sciences. 182 (9): 793–807. doi:10.1086/715633. S2CID   239036762.
  5. ↑ Nel, A. (2022). "The second European representative of the epallagid genus Labandeiraia in the lowermost Eocene Oise amber (Odonata, Zygoptera)". Palaeoentomology. 5 (6): 520–523. doi:10.11646/palaeoentomology.5.6.3.
  6. 1 2 Wolfe, J.A.; Wehr, W.C. (1987). Middle Eocene dicotyledonous plants from Republic, northeastern Washington (Report). Bulletin. Vol. 1597. United States Geological Survey. pp. 1–25. doi: 10.3133/b1597 .
  7. ↑ Archibald, S.; Greenwood, D.; Smith, R.; Mathewes, R.; Basinger, J. (2011). "Great Canadian Lagerstätten 1. Early Eocene Lagerstätten of the Okanagan Highlands (British Columbia and Washington State)". Geoscience Canada. 38 (4): 155–164.
  8. 1 2 Moss, P. T.; Greenwood, D. R.; Archibald, S. B. (2005). "Regional and local vegetation community dynamics of the Eocene Okanagan Highlands (British Columbia – Washington State) from palynology". Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences. 42 (2): 187–204. Bibcode:2005CaJES..42..187M. doi:10.1139/E04-095.
  9. ↑ Wolfe, J.A.; Tanai, T. (1987). "Systematics, Phylogeny, and Distribution of Acer (maples) in the Cenozoic of Western North America". Journal of the Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University. Series 4, Geology and Mineralogy. 22 (1): 1–246. Archived from the original on 2022-12-22. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  10. 1 2 3 Greenwood, D.R.; Archibald, S.B.; Mathewes, R.W; Moss, P.T. (2005). "Fossil biotas from the Okanagan Highlands, southern British Columbia and northeastern Washington State: climates and ecosystems across an Eocene landscape". Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences. 42 (2): 167–185. Bibcode:2005CaJES..42..167G. doi:10.1139/e04-100.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Republica at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.