The First Representative of the Roachoid Family Spiloblattinidae (Insecta, Dictyoptera) from the Late Pennsylvanian of the Iberian Peninsula

Simple Summary The Palaeozoic-Early Mesozoic roachoid family Spiloblattinidae are valuable for understanding the stratigraphy of continental strata, thanks to their diversity of the forewing venation patterns of colouration. Here, the first Iberian representative of these roachoids is described as a new 'form' closely related to the Gzhelian-early-middle Asselian 'zone species' and 'forms'. It supports the latest Gzhelian age of the concerned outcrop, obtained through stratigraphy and floral composition. It confirms the value of these insects for stratigraphic purposes. Sysciophlebia 'sp. form Villablino', the first Iberian representative of the Palaeozoic-Early Mesozoic family Spiloblattinidae, is described and illustrated. Its forewing colour pattern is strongly similar to those of the Gzhelian-early-middle Asselian species Sysciophlebia euglyptica, Sysciophlebia ilfeldensis, Sysciophlebia rubida, and 'Sysciophlebia sp. form KBQ', supporting the currently proposed Gzhelian age for its type locality. It supports the use of the representatives of the Spiloblattinidae for stratigraphic purposes. The diagnoses and limits of the families Subioblattidae, Phyloblattidae, Compsoblattidae, Spiloblattinidae, and of the spiloblattinid genera are discussed.

Automated summary

This study describes a new 'form' of the Palaeozoic-Early Mesozoic roachoid family Spiloblattinidae and discusses its stratigraphic significance. By analyzing the color patterns of the forewings, the study confirms the stratigraphic age of the type locality. The study also discusses the diagnosis and limits of related families and genera.