PBDB Taxon

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Odonata (dragonfly)

Insecta - Odonata

Taxonomy

Odonata was named by Fabricius (1793). It is extant.

It was assigned to Insecta by Fabricius (1798); to Palaeoptera by Martynov (1932), Martynov (1937) and Carpenter (1992); to Odonatoclada by Bechly et al. (2001); to Pterygota by Bechly (2005); to Insecta by Bode (1953), Zhang (1989) and Vega et al. (2006); and to Panodonata by Bechly (2007).

Synonyms

Pseudoeuphaea was named by Handlirsch (1906).

It was considered a nomen dubium by Fleck et al. (2001).

It was assigned to Epallagidae by Handlirsch (1906); and to Zygoptera by Carpenter (1992).
Euphaea areolata was named by Hagen (1862). It is an impression. Its type locality is Solnhofen (BSPGM Munich coll), which is in a Tithonian lagoonal/restricted shallow subtidal lime mudstone in the Solnhofen Formation of Germany.

It was recombined as Pseudoeuphaea areolata by Handlirsch (1906); it was considered a nomen dubium by Fleck et al. (2001).
Euphaea filosa was named by Hagen (1862). It is an impression. Its type locality is Solnhofen (BSPGM Munich coll), which is in a Tithonian lagoonal/restricted shallow subtidal lime mudstone in the Solnhofen Formation of Germany.

It was recombined as Pseudoeuphaea filosa by Handlirsch (1906); it was considered a nomen dubium by Fleck et al. (2001).
Pseudoeuphaea falsificata was named by Handlirsch (1906). It is an impression. Its type locality is Solnhofen (BSPGM Munich coll), which is in a Tithonian lagoonal/restricted shallow subtidal lime mudstone in the Solnhofen Formation of Germany.

It was considered a nomen dubium by Fleck et al. (2001).
Pseudoeuphaea obscura was named by Handlirsch (1906). It is an impression. Its type locality is Solnhofen (BSPGM Munich coll), which is in a Tithonian lagoonal/restricted shallow subtidal lime mudstone in the Solnhofen Formation of Germany.

It was considered a nomen dubium by Fleck et al. (2001).
Liassophlebia clavigaster was named by Tillyard (1925). Its type specimen is BMNH I 11029, an exoskeleton (last part of the abdomen), and it is an impression. Its type locality is Strensham, Worcestershire, which is in a Rhaetian marine horizon in the Lilstock Formation of the United Kingdom.

It was considered a nomen dubium by Kelly and Nel (2018).
Libellula hopei was named by Brodie (1845). It is an impression. Its type locality is Strensham, Worcestershire, which is in a Rhaetian marine horizon in the Lilstock Formation of the United Kingdom.

It was recombined as Petalura hopei by Selys-Longchamps (1850); it was recombined as Heterophlebia hopei by Kirby (1890); it was recombined as Anisozygopteron hopei by Handlirsch (1906); it was recombined as Liassophlebia hopei by Tillyard (1925); it was considered a nomen dubium by Kelly and Nel (2018).
Proaeschna was named by Fritsch (1905).

It was considered a nomen nudum by Fritsch (1905) and Nel et al. (1994).
Libellula decapitata was named by Selys-Longchamps (1850). It is an impression. Its type locality is Lower Lias (Brodie coll), which is in a Rhaetian/Hettangian marine shale/limestone in the United Kingdom.

It was considered a nomen dubium by Handlirsch (1906).
Hageniella was named by Meunier (1897).

It was considered a nomen dubium by Handlirsch (1906).
Hageniella problematica was named by Meunier (1897). It is an impression. Its type locality is Solnhofen (Teyler Museum Collection), which is in a Tithonian lagoonal/restricted shallow subtidal lime mudstone in the Solnhofen Formation of Germany.

It was considered a nomen dubium by Handlirsch (1906).

Synonymy list

Year	Name and author
1793	Odonata Fabricius p. 373
1798	Odonata Fabricius p. 283
1845	Libellula hopei Brodie p. 71,102 figs. Pl 10, fig 3
1850	Petalura hopei Selys-Longchamps p. 359
1850	Libellula decapitata Selys-Longchamps p. 364
1862	Euphaea areolata Hagen p. 106
1862	Euphaea filosa Hagen p. 106
1890	Libellula decapitata Kirby p. 166
1890	Heterophlebia hopei Kirby p. 169
1890	Euphaea areolata Kirby p. 174
1890	Euphaea filosa Kirby p. 174
1897	Hageniella Meunier p. 228
1897	Hageniella problematica Meunier p. 228
1905	Proaeschna Fritsch p. 3
1906	Pseudoeuphaea areolata Handlirsch
1906	Anisozygopteron hopei Handlirsch p. 470
1906	Pseudoeuphaea Handlirsch p. 596
1906	Pseudoeuphaea falsificata Handlirsch p. 597
1906	Pseudoeuphaea filosa Handlirsch p. 597
1906	Pseudoeuphaea obscura Handlirsch p. 597
1925	Liassophlebia clavigaster Tillyard
1925	Liassophlebia hopei Tillyard p. 19
1932	Odonata Martynov
1937	Odonata Martynov p. 16
1953	Odonata Bode
1989	Odonata Zhang p. 414
1992	Odonata Carpenter p. 62
1992	Pseudoeuphaea Carpenter p. 88
2001	Odonata Bechly et al.
2005	Odonata Bechly p. 2
2006	Odonata Vega et al. p. 327
2007	Odonata Bechly

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Rank	Name	Author
kingdom	Animalia	()
—	Bilateria
—	Eubilateria	Ax 1987
—	Protostomia
—	Ecdysozoa
—	Panarthropoda
phylum	Arthropoda	Latreille 1829
superclass	Hexapoda	Latreille 1825
class	Insecta
—	Dicondylia
—	Paranotalia
subclass	Pterygota	()
infraclass	Hydropalaeoptera	Rohdendorf 1969
—	Euhydropalaeoptera
—	Odonatoptera	Martynov 1932

Rank	Name	Author
—	Palaeodonatoptera
—	Plesiodonatoptera
—	Apodonatoptera
—	Paneodonatoptera
—	Neodonatoptera
—	Euodonatoptera
—	Odonatoclada	Bechly 1999
—	Nodialata
—	Discoidalia
—	Stigmoptera
—	Lobodonata
—	Panodonata
order	Odonata
order	Odonata

If no rank is listed, the taxon is considered an unranked clade in modern classifications. Ranks may be repeated or presented in the wrong order because authors working on different parts of the classification may disagree about how to rank taxa.

Or. Odonata Fabricius 1793 [dragonfly]

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Subor. Anisozygoptera Handlirsch 1906

G. †Anomothemis Handlirsch 1906

†Anomothemis brevistigma Handlirsch 1906

Superfm. Epiophlebioidea Tillyard 1917

Fm. †Burmaphlebiidae Bechly and Poinar 2013

G. †Bilebullephlebia Jouault and Nel 2023

†Bilebullephlebia legendrei Jouault and Nel 2023

G. †Burmaphlebia Bechly and Poinar 2013

†Burmaphlebia reifi Bechly and Poinar 2013

G. †Pouillonphlebia Ngô-Muller et al. 2020

†Pouillonphlebia burmitica Ngô-Muller et al. 2020

G. †Liadothemis Handlirsch 1906

†Liadothemis geinitzi Handlirsch 1939

†Liadothemis hydrodictyon Handlirsch 1906

†Liadothemis insignis Zessin 1982

†Liadothemis major Handlirsch 1939

G. †Magnasupplephlebia Zessin 1982

†Magnasupplephlebia intercalaria Zessin and Ansorge 1987

†Magnasupplephlebia kallweita Zessin 1982

G. †Parelthothemis Handlirsch 1906

†Parelthothemis dobbertinensis Handlirsch 1906

G. †Petrothemis Handlirsch 1906

†Petrothemis singularis Handlirsch 1906

G. †Pycnothemis Handlirsch 1939

†Pycnothemis densa Handlirsch 1939

Invalid names: Pycnothemis Cowley 1942 [objective synonym]

G. †Rhabdothemis Handlirsch 1939

†Rhabdothemis strigivena Handlirsch 1939

Invalid names: Rhabdothemis Cowley 1942 [objective synonym]

G. †Temnostigma Handlirsch 1939

†Temnostigma singulare Handlirsch 1939

Invalid names: Temnostigma Cowley 1942 [objective synonym]

Invalid names: Oreopteroidea Pritykina 1968 [empty], Tarsophlebioidea Handlirsch 1908 [empty]

Unr. Epiproctophora Bechly 1996

Unr. Euepiproctophora Bechly 1998

Unr. Anisopteromorpha Bechly 1996

Fm. †Erichschmidtiidae Bechly 1996

G. †Erichschmidtia Pritykina 1968

Unr. †Heterophlebioptera Bechly 1996

Superfm. †Heterophlebioidea Handlirsch 1906

Unr. Trigonoptera Bechly 1996

Unr. Pananisoptera Bechly 1996

Unr. †Stenophlebioptera Bechly 1996

Fm. Epiophlebiidae Tillyard 1917

G. Epiophlebia Calvert 1903

Fm. †Frenguelliidae Petrulevičius and Nel 2003

G. †Frenguellia Petrulevičius and Nel 2003

†Frenguellia iglesiasi Petrulevičius and Nel 2013

†Frenguellia patagonica Petrulevičius and Nel 2003

G. †Nelala Petrulevičius 2019

†Nelala chori Petrulevičius 2019

Unr. †Isophlebioptera Bechly 1996

Fm. †Eosagrionidae Handlirsch 1920

G. †Eosagrion Handlirsch 1920

†Eosagrion risi Handlirsch 1920

Fm. †Euthemistidae Pritykina 1968

G. †Euthemis Pritykina 1968

†Euthemis cellulata Pritykina 1968

†Euthemis multivenosa Pritykina 1968

G. †Kidaneuthemis Liu et al. 2024

†Kidaneuthemis ningchengensis Liu et al. 2024

G. †Sinoeuthemis Li et al. 2013

†Sinoeuthemis daohugouensis Li et al. 2013

Unr. †Isophlebiida Bechly 1996

Superfm. †Isophlebioidea Nel et al. 1993

Fm. †Campterophlebiidae Handlirsch 1920

Invalid names: Karatawiidae Martynov 1925 [synonym]

Fm. †Isophlebiidae Handlirsch 1906

G. †Kazachophlebia Pritykina 1968

Fm. †Selenothemistidae Handlirsch 1939

Invalid names: Turanothemistidae Pritykina 1968 [synonym]

Fm. †Liadotypidae Grauvogel and Laurentiaux 1952

G. †Liadotypus Martynov 1937

Fm. †Paragonophlebiidae Nel 2009

G. †Paragonophlebia Nel 2009

†Paragonophlebia inexpectata Nel 2009

†Paragonophlebia patriciae Nel 2009

Invalid names: Mongolothemis gobicus Pritykina and Vassilenko 2014 [objective synonym]

Invalid names: Mongolothemis Pritykina and Vassilenko 2014 [synonym]

Unr. †Parazygoptera Bechly 1997

Unr. †Euparazygoptera Bechly 1997

Fm. †Asiopteridae Pritykina 1968

Invalid names: Oreopteridae Pritykina 1968 [synonym]

Fm. †Enigmalestidae Nel and Huang 2021

Superfm. †Triassolestoidea Tillyard 1918

Invalid names: Progonophlebioidea Bechly 1996 [synonym]

Fm. †Sphenophlebiidae Bechly 1997

G. †Ensphingophlebia Bode 1953

G. †Euphaeopsis Handlirsch 1906

G. †Mesoepiophlebia Nel and Henrotay 1993

G. †Proeuthemis Nel and Jarzembowski 1996

G. †Sphenophlebia Bode 1953

G. †Parazygoptera Bechly 1997

Fm. †Pseudostenolestidae Garrouste and Nel 2015

G. †Pseudostenolestes Garrouste and Nel 2015

†Pseudostenolestes bechlyi Garrouste and Nel 2015

Fm. †Triassolestidae Tillyard 1918

G. †Sogdopterites Nel et al. 2002

†Sogdopterites legibile Pritykina 1980

G. †Triassolestes Tillyard 1918

†Triassolestes epiophlebioides Tillyard 1918

Subfm. †Triassolestinae Tillyard 1918

Tr. †Triassothemistini Fujiyama 1991

Invalid names: Triassolestini Tillyard 1918 [empty]

G. †Triassolestodes Pritykina 1981

†Triassolestodes asiaticus Pritykina 1981

G. †Triassoneura Riek 1976

†Triassoneura andersoni Riek 1976

G. †Triassothemis Carpenter 1960

†Triassothemis gartzii Barth et al. 2013

†Triassothemis mendozensis Carpenter 1960

Invalid names: Italophlebiidae Whalley 1986 [synonym], Progonophlebiidae Tillyard 1925 [synonym], Triassoneuridae Riek 1976 [synonym]

Fm. †Haidilaozhenidae Yang et al. 2023

G. †Haidilaozhen Yang et al. 2023

†Haidilaozhen cuiae Yang et al. 2023

Fm. Idionychidae Tillyard and Fraser 1940

G. †Mioidionyx Nel et al. 2005

†Mioidionyx stavropolensis Nel et al. 2005

G. †Kobdoneura Pritykina 1985

†Kobdoneura manca Pritykina 1985

Subor. †Libellulina Laicharting 1781

Invalid names: Heterophlebiomorpha Handlirsch 1906 [empty]

Fm. †Mesomantidiidae Tillyard 1923

G. †Mesomantidion Tillyard 1916

†Mesomantidion queenslandicum Tillyard 1916

G. †Mesonetopsis Ping 1935

†Mesonetopsis zeni Ping 1935

G. †Orthaeschnites Haupt 1956

†Orthaeschnites primus Haupt 1956

G. †Oryctothemis Handlirsch 1906

†Oryctothemis hageni Handlirsch 1906

G. †Palaeophlebia Brauer et al. 1889

†Palaeophlebia synlestoides Brauer et al. 1889

G. †Peraphlebia Jell and Duncan 1986

†Peraphlebia tetrastichia Jell and Duncan 1986

G. †Sogdothemis Martynov 1937

†Sogdothemis modesta Martynov 1937

G. †Syrrhoe Bode 1953

†Syrrhoe commissa Bode 1953

G. †Triassophlebia Tillyard 1922

†Triassophlebia stigmatica Tillyard 1922

Subor. Zygoptera Selys-Longchamps 1854 [damselfly]

G. †Andrephlebia Bechly 2019

†Andrephlebia buergeri Bechly 2019

Fm. †Burmadysagrionidae Zheng et al. 2016

G. †Burmadysagrion Zheng et al. 2016

†Burmadysagrion zhangi Zheng et al. 2016

G. †Electrodysagrion Zheng et al. 2017

†Electrodysagrion lini Zheng et al. 2017

†Electrodysagrion neli Zheng et al. 2019

G. †Palaeodysagrion Zheng et al. 2017

†Palaeodysagrion cretacicus Zheng et al. 2017

G. †Pseudopalaeodysagrion Bechly and Velten 2023

†Pseudopalaeodysagrion youlini Zheng et al. 2017

Unr. Caloptera Belyshev and Haritonov 1983

Unr. Eucaloptera Bechly 1996

Unr. Amphipterygida Bechly 1996

Superfm. †Amphipterygoidea Tillyard 1917

Unr. Calopterygomorpha Bechly 1996

Unr. Calopterygiformia Bechly 1996

Superfm. Calopterygoidea Selys-Longchamps 1850

Invalid names: Chlorocyphoidea Cowley 1937 [synonym]

G. †Dinosamarura Pritykina 1985

†Dinosamarura tugnuica Pritykina 1985

G. †Eopodagrion Cockerell 1921

†Eopodagrion scudderi Cockerell 1921

Unr. Euzygoptera Bechly 1996

Fm. †Argiolestidae Fraser 1957

Subfm. Argiolestinae Fraser 1960

G. †Librelula Petrulevičius 2020

G. †Lithagrion Scudder 1890

G. †Melanagrion Cockerell 1907

G. †Miopodagrion Kennedy 1925

Unr. Coenagriomorpha Bechly 1996

Fm. Megapodagrionidae Tillyard 1917 [flatwing]

G. †Cretapodagrion Huang et al. 2017

G. †Eckfeldia Petrulevičius et al. 2008

G. †Electropodagrion Azar and Nel 2008

G. †Hanklitia Zessin 2011

G. Megapodagrion Selys-Longchamps 1885

Invalid names: Podagrion Selys-Longchamps 1862 [replaced]

G. †Oligoargiolestes Kennedy 1925

G. †Phyonganpodagrion So and Won 2021

G. †Viridiflumineagrion Nel 2022

G. †Vulcagrion Nel and Paicheler 1994

Invalid names: Megapodagrioniidae Tillyard 1917 [empty]

Unr. Coenagrionomorpha Bechly 1996

Unr. Coenagrioniformia Bechly 1996

Unr. Coenagrionida Bechly 1996

G. †Cretarchistigma Jarzembowski et al. 1998

†Cretarchistigma essweini Bechly 1998

†Cretarchistigma greenwoodi Jarzembowski et al. 1998

Unr. Lestomorpha Bechly 1996

Fm. Hemiphlebiidae Tillyard 1926 [greenling]

G. †Burmahemiphlebia Zheng et al. 2017

G. †Electrohemiphlebia Lak et al. 2009

G. †Enteropia Pritykina and Vassilenko 2014

G. †Jordanhemiphlebia Kaddumi 2009

G. †Jurahemiphlebia Bechly 2019

G. †Kachinhemiphlebia Zheng 2020

G. †Mersituria Vasilenko 2005

G. †Pantelusa Vassilenko 2014

G. †Parahemiphlebia Jarzembowski et al. 1998

G. †Thairia Felker and Vasilenko 2018

Unr. Lestiformia Bechly 1996

Fm. †Cretacoenagrionidae Bechly 1995

Unr. Eulestiformia Bechly 1996

G. †Libanolestes Azar et al. 2010

†Libanolestes flecki Azar et al. 2010

G. †Furagrion Petrulevičius et al. 2008

†Furagrion ansorgei Zessin 2011

†Furagrion jutlandicus Henriksen 1922

Invalid names: Furagrion morsi Zessin 2011 [synonym]

Invalid names: Morsagrion Zessin 2011 [synonym]

G. †Gasophlebia Lin 1982

†Gasophlebia taianensis Lin 1982

Superfm. Hemiphlebioidea Tillyard and Fraser 1938

G. †Cretahemiphlebia Jarzembowski et al. 1998

†Cretahemiphlebia rossi Jarzembowski et al. 1998

G. †Italolestes Nel et al. 2005

†Italolestes stroppai Nel et al. 2005

Fm. †Mesomegaloprepidae Huang et al. 2017

G. †Cretamegaloprepus Zheng et al. 2018

†Cretamegaloprepus zhouae Zheng et al. 2018

G. †Mesomegaloprepus Huang et al. 2017

†Mesomegaloprepus magnificus Huang et al. 2017

Superfm. Platystictoidea Kennedy 1920

Fm. Platystictidae Kennedy 1920 [shadowdamsel]

Subfm. †Mesostictinae Zheng et al. 2017

G. †Mesosticta Huang et al. 2015

G. †Pulchrairina Martynov et al. 2022

†Pulchrairina electra Martynov et al. 2022

G. †Samarura Brauer et al. 1889

†Samarura gigantea Brauer et al. 1889

Invalid names: Samarura angusta Brauer et al. 1889 [synonym], Samarura minor Brauer et al. 1889 [synonym], Samarura pulla Brauer et al. 1889 [synonym], Samarura rotundata Brauer et al. 1889 [synonym]

†Samarura punctaticaudata Hong 1983

G. †Santanagrion Bechly 2010

†Santanagrion longipes Bechly 2010

Fm. †Steleopteridae Handlirsch 1906

G. †Auliella Pritykina 1968

†Auliella crucigera Pritykina 1968

G. †Euparasteleopteron Fleck et al. 2001

†Euparasteleopteron viohli Fleck et al. 2001

G. †Parasteleopteron Fleck et al. 2001

†Parasteleopteron guischardi Fleck et al. 2001

G. †Steleopteron Handlirsch 1906

†Steleopteron cretacicus Zheng et al. 2018

†Steleopteron deichmuelleri Handlirsch 1906

G. †Steropoides Kirby 1890

†Steropoides parthenope Heer 1849

Invalid names: Sterope Heer 1849 [replaced]

G. †Valerea Garrouste et al. 2016

†Valerea multicellulata Garrouste et al. 2016

Invalid names: Agrion exhaustum Hagen 1862 [nomen dubium], Agrion hecticum Hagen 1862 [nomen dubium], Agrion mysis Hagen 1863 [nomen dubium], Agrion thais Hagen 1863 [nomen dubium], Cephalozygoptera Archibald et al. 2021 [synonym], Gomphus resinatus Hagen 1848 [nomen nudum], Megalestes anglicus Cockerell 1915 [nomen dubium], Podagrion abortivum Scudder 1878 [nomen dubium]

Invalid names: Hageniella Meunier 1897 [nomen dubium], Hageniella problematica Meunier 1897 [nomen dubium], Liassophlebia clavigaster Tillyard 1925 [nomen dubium], Liassophlebia hopei Brodie 1845 [nomen dubium], Libellula decapitata Selys-Longchamps 1850 [nomen dubium], Proaeschna Fritsch 1905 [nomen nudum], Pseudoeuphaea Handlirsch 1906 [nomen dubium], Pseudoeuphaea areolata Hagen 1862 [nomen dubium], Pseudoeuphaea falsificata Handlirsch 1906 [nomen dubium], Pseudoeuphaea filosa Hagen 1862 [nomen dubium], Pseudoeuphaea obscura Handlirsch 1906 [nomen dubium]

Diagnosis

No diagnoses are available