About Cordualadensa acorni
- It represents the first Mesozoic dragonfly fossil in Canada and fills a 30-million-year evolutionary gap in dragonfly history.
- The fossil is a partial wing impression fossil preserved in the 75-million-year-old Dinosaur Park Formation (UNESCO World Heritage Site, Alberta, Canada).
- The fossil led to the creation of a new family, Cordualadensidae, highlighting its unique anatomical features.
Features of Cordualadensa acorni
- Wingspan: Roughly the width of a human hand.
- Anatomy: The wing structure indicates adaptation for gliding flight, a feature common in migratory dragonflies
- Ecological Role: Though small, it would have been an important part of the Cretaceous ecosystem, possibly serving as prey for raptors.
Distribution & Significance
- First dinosaur-aged dragonfly fossil discovered in Canada.
- It is the first North American member of the dragonfly group Cavilabiata.
- Before this, only one insect fossil (a microscopic aphid in amber) had been reported from the region.
