Schizocoleus maximus Yan & Strelnikova, sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: F33EB2B8-5A3C-411C-AEED-E76147446497

(Fig. 7)

Material. Holotype — PIN, No. 5890/2, part and counterpart of left elytron, base and apex partially damaged. Paratypes — PIN, No. 5890/3, 6 and 9 parts and counterparts of left elytra, partially damaged.

Locality and horizon. Alisa locality, Nidym Formation, Lower Triassic.

Diagnosis. Very large elytron, narrowing anteriorly and posteriorly with maximum width at midlength.

Description. At least three times as long as wide, maximum width at two thirds of its length; carinated; slightly curved near distal third. Locking tongue straight about ¼ of elytron`s length, located at 1/3 of elytron`s width, closer to epipleural margin at elytron`s basal half.

Specimens 5890/2 and 6 have remnants of R and M veinal systems visible.

Measurements (in mm). Holotype’s elytral length 14.5, width 4.5; paratype`s PIN 5890/3 length 12.3, width 4; paratype`s PIN 5890/6 length 11.7, width 4.7; paratype`s PIN 5890/9 length 9.5, width 2.7.

Etymology. After Latin “ maximus ” due to elytron`s large size, largest among Schizocoleus.

Remarks. Elytral cuticle was probably rather thin, this allowed folded wings to be partially seen after fossilization, similar to Uskatocoleus turensis sp. nov. Species below attributed to Schizocoleus mainly because of its large size and lack of wrinkled or scaly cuticular sculpture.

Comparison. Differs from all congeners by large size.