A new cockroach (Blattaria: Mesoblattinidae: Spinaeblattina) from the Lower Cretaceous Laiyang Formation of China

A well-preserved completely articulated cockroach fossil, identified as Spinaeblattina tuanwangensis sp. nov., is discovered in the Lower Cretaceous Laiyang Formation of Shandong Province, China. Compared to other species of Spinaeblattina, it possesses different shape of dark colouration patterns in pronotum, smaller forewing, rich R and M branches, and CuA with only 2 branches. The differences between S. tuanwangensis sp. nov. and Piniblattella vitimica are also discussed. Spinaeblattina now includes species with a wide temporal range (Barremian-Cenomanian) and geography (Eastern Laurasian and with burmite), and this problem is open until more fossils are researched in feature studies. S. tuanwangensis sp. nov. with its Yixian counterpart S. yixianensis further suggests the close relationship between Laiyang and Yixian Formations. Mutations of wing venation in Laiyang and Yixian Formations are also briefly discussed. (c) 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.