Uncovered Ancient Remains Reveal Canada's First Known Cretaceous Dragonfly Specimen
In a groundbreaking discovery, a team of researchers led by Professor Hans Larsson from McGill University have unearthed the first dinosaur-aged dragonfly fossil in Canada. This find, made in 2023, was discovered in the 75-million-year-old Dinosaur Park Formation in Alberta's Dinosaur Provincial Park [1][2][3].
The fossilised insect, approximately the size of a human hand, represents the first dinosaur-aged dragonfly found in Canada and the first known North American member of the dragonfly group Cavilabiata [1][2]. Its wings, preserved as an impression fossil, offer insights into a new fossilization mode for insects in this region, expanding future search strategies beyond amber traps and encouraging broader excavation approaches [1][2].
This discovery significantly enhances the Late Cretaceous paleobiological record by filling a major 30-million-year evolutionary gap and revealing previously unknown insect diversity and preservation methods in the region. The find doubles the known insect diversity from the Dinosaur Park Formation, which was previously nearly devoid of insect fossils except for a microscopic aphid in amber [1][2].
The anatomical features of the wing indicate adaptations for gliding, a trait linked to migratory behavior in modern dragonflies, hinting at ecological and evolutionary strategies that contributed to the group's success [1][2]. This discovery adds an important piece to reconstructing the Late Cretaceous ecosystem in North America, especially at one of the world’s richest dinosaur fossil sites.
Going forward, researchers have begun expanding where and how they look for insect fossils in the Dinosaur Park Formation, employing new techniques influenced by this find to uncover more insect fossils and better understand the paleoecology of the Late Cretaceous in Canada [1][2].
In summary, the discovery impacts the Late Cretaceous paleobiological record by:
- Filling a significant evolutionary gap for North American dragonflies
- Revealing new insect fossil preservation types in the Dinosaur Park Formation
- Suggesting a richer insect biodiversity during the dinosaur era than previously recognized
- Offering insights into the ecological role and behavior of ancient dragonflies
- Guiding future fossil search strategies to include wider excavation sites and methods focused on insect fossils [1][2]
The ultimate goal is to have a much clearer picture of what life looked like in prehistoric Canada, not just from the ground up, but from the air down. The conditions required to preserve such delicate structures like insect wings are extremely specific, and this find suggests that insect remains may be more common than previously thought but have simply gone undetected. The discovery of the dragonfly-like insect has expanded the known diversity of Cretaceous life, helping balance the fossil record, which traditionally leans toward vertebrates. The fossilized insect would have been an important part of the Cretaceous ecosystem, potentially serving as a tasty snack for raptors. The fossilised insect's wingspan was about the width of a human hand, and the discovery demonstrates the presence of the Myrmeleontoidea in northern Laramidia during the Late Cretaceous. The dragonfly-like insect provides insight into the non-vertebrate component of the Dinosaur Park ecosystem.
- The finding of the dinosaur-aged dragonfly not only fills an evolutionary gap in North American dragonflies but also broadens the scope of environmental-science research, offering insights into insect preservation methods and biodiversity during the Late Cretaceous period.
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