1966] 
Kukalova — - Protelytroptera 
109 
Ghanoselytron gingiva , n. sp. 
Text-figure 14 
Fore wing: 7.5 mm. long and 2.9 mm. broad; costal expansion 
separated by a very slight concavity from the rest of the anterior 
margin; apex rounded. 
Holotype: No, In 45493 (reverse). British Museum (N.H.), 
London. Collected in Upper Permian, Belmont, N.S.W. 
Discussion 
Because of the remarkable convergence with the Coleoptera, the 
Protelytroptera have been often regarded as true beetles or their 
ancestors. As to the marked morphological convergence of the fore 
wings, the number of diagnostic features is, above all in view of 
some archaic beetles, restricted. For the Protelytroptera, the patches 
of setae are very characteristic, but their presence in specimens de- 
pends on the nature of the preservation. A more reliable morphologi- 
cal feature is the vein Sc, which is usually weak and more or less 
shortened, never reaching apex, and never running along close to 
and parallel to the anterior margin, as it is in the case of some primi- 
tive beetles. A further distinctive feature is the course of CuA, which 
is mostly oblique in Protelytroptera, of “orthopteroid” type, but 
which in many Paleozoic Coleoptera is more or less parallel with 
the posterior margin. The costal expansion and sutural margin in 
their usual form and in combination with the typical form of Sc and 
CuA are very characteristic for Protelytroptera. Nevertheless, the 
individual features are often not developed typically, or are com- 
pletely missing, or may be similar to those of beetles. The surface of 
the fore wings is very variable, including a reticulation (Protely- 
tridae), granulation (Stenelytridae) , cross veins (Archelytridae) , 
tubercles (Protocoleidae) , rugosity (Dermelytridae) , dense hairs 
( Megelytridae) , etc., much as in the beetles. 
A comparison of the Australian endemic families of Protelytroptera 
with those of the Northern Hemisphere is very interesting. There is 
no doubt that all Protelytroptera have been derived from a com- 
mon ancestor. The Protocoleidae and Permophilidae are likely to 
show some closer phylogenetic relationship to each other, in spite of 
the differences in venation; they are well removed from all the North- 
ern forms so far known. The Stenelytridae of the Australian series 
suggest mostly the typical Northern family, Protelytridae, by its vena- 
tion, but not by form of elytra, degree of sclerotization and sculptur- 
ing. 
