Epiophlebioptera

Definition

An infraorder of Odonata comprising the single extant family Epiophlebiidae (genus Epiophlebia), a relict lineage of damsel-dragonflies found in Himalayan and East Asian mountain streams. Once grouped with fossils in the paraphyletic "Anisozygoptera," Epiophlebioptera is now treated as a distinct clade representing the sister lineage to all other living odonates, possessing plesiomorphic traits such as partially spread wings at rest and a slow, fluttering flight unlike true dragonflies (Anisoptera) or damselflies (Zygoptera).

Etymology

From Epiophlebia (type genus, from Greek epi- 'upon' + ophis 'serpent' + blepsis 'look, glance') + Greek pteron 'wing'

Example

The Himalayan relict damsel-dragonfly Epiophlebia laidlawi, sole living representative of Epiophlebioptera, bridges morphological gaps between dragonflies and damselflies through its intermediate wing posture and venation.

Related Terms

• Odonata
• Anisoptera
• Zygoptera
• Anisozygoptera
• Epiophlebiidae
• Epiophlebia
• Plesiomorphy
• relict taxon

Usage Notes

Treated by some neontologists as equivalent to the traditional suborder Anisozygoptera, but phylogenetic studies restrict Anisozygoptera to a paraphyletic fossil assemblage and recognize Epiophlebioptera as the valid rank for the extant lineage. The group is frequently cited in discussions of odonate phylogeny and wing-venation evolution.