Priscaenigma is an extinct genus of snakefly of the Priscaenigmatidae family which was described by Whalley in 1985.[1][2] The fossils were found on flatstones at Black Ven in Charmouth, Dorset at 50°42′N 2°54′W / 50.7°N 2.9°W in a marine environment of the Charmouth Mudstone Formation.[3] The fossils were collected by J. F. Jackson between 1961 and 1963.[3][4] Its sister taxa is Hondelagia.[2] The genus contains one species, the extinct Priscaenigma obtusa, also described by Whalley in 1985. Its forewing is 12.6 centimetres (5.0 in) in length. Only a forewing was found when the species was discovered.[1][5]
| Priscaenigma Temporal range:
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|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Raphidioptera |
| Family: | †Priscaenigmatidae |
| Genus: | †Priscaenigma |
| Species: | †P. obtusa
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| Binomial name | |
| †Priscaenigma obtusa Whalley, 1985
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References
edit- ^ a b P. E. S. Whalley. 1985. The systematics and palaeogeography of the Lower Jurassic insects of Dorset, England. Bulletin of the British Museum of Natural History (Geology) 39(3):107-189. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
- ^ a b "†Priscaenigma: Whalley, 1985 (snakefly)". The Paleobiology Database. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
- ^ a b F. E. Zeuner. 1962. Fossil insects from the Lower Lias of Charmouth, Dorset. Bulletin British Museum (Natural History) Geology 7:155-171. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
- ^ "Flatstones, Black Ven, Charmouth (Jurassic of the United Kingdom)". The Paleobiology Database. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
- ^ "†Priscaenigma obtusa: Whalley, 1985 (snakefly)". The Paleobiology Database. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
50°42′N 2°54′W / 50.7°N 2.9°W
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