75-Million-Year-Old Dragonfly Species Discovered

Quick Summary

• A new dragonfly species, Cordualadensa acorni, was discovered in Alberta’s Dinosaur Provincial Park.
• This is the first Mesozoic-era dragonfly found in Canada and fills a 30-million-year gap in dragonfly evolutionary history.
• The wing fossil was uncovered by a McGill University undergraduate during a paleontology field course in 2023.
• Due to its distinct anatomy, researchers established a new family, Cordualadensidae, for its classification.
• The species is noted for its gliding adaptations and was likely an integral part of the Cretaceous ecosystem.
• this marks the first North American discovery of a member from the Cavilabiata group of dragonflies.
• Researchers credited this find with doubling insect fossil knowledge from Dinosaur Provincial Park and showcasing impression fossils as a preservation method previously unknown to this region.
• Scientists believe insect diversity during the time was greater than previously thought.
• The species’ anatomy offers insights into life 75 million years ago in Canada’s dinosaur-abundant regions.

!141452-Cordualadensa-acorni.jpg”>Fossilized wing
Image credit: Mueller et al., Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The discovery of Cordualadensa acorni represents not just an vital paleontological milestone but also an example of how collaborative research can expand scientific understanding even centuries after initial exploration efforts began at prominent global sites like Dinosaur Provincial Park. For India – where fossil records have unearthed meaningful finds such as dinosaur eggs or early amphibian remains – this serves as inspiration for prioritizing paleontology and systematic exploration.

Further,it highlights how breakthroughs are possible when academic institutions provide opportunities to students through field research programs – something applicable for nurturing young scientific minds in India. While unrelated directly to India’s biodiversity or prehistoric record, such discoveries reiterate how fossils help reconstruct ancient ecosystems crucial for understanding planetary evolution.

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