Titanoptera

Titanoptera Temporal range: Triassic PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Subclass:	Pterygota
Infraclass:	Neoptera
Order:	Titanoptera
Families
Mesotitanidae Paratitanidae Gigantitanidae

The Titanoptera are an extinct order of insects from the Triassic period. They were very large by comparison with modern insects, some having wingspans of up to 36 centimetres (14 in).^[1]

They were related to modern grasshoppers, but much larger, with grasping forelegs and elongated mandibles. Another distinctive feature was the presence of prominent fluted regions on the forewings, which may have been used in stridulation. The general shape and anatomy of the Titanopterans suggests that they were predators.^[1]

Classification

Order Titanoptera

Family Mesotitanidae
- Genus Mesotitan
- Genus Mesotitanodes
- Genus Prototitan
- Genus Ultratitan
Family Paratitanidae
- Genus Paratitan
Family Gigatitanidae
- Genus Gigatitan
- Genus Nanotitan
- Genus Ootitan

References

^ ^a ^b Hoell, H.V., Doyen, J.T. & Purcell, A.H. (1998). Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity, 2nd ed.. Oxford University Press. pp. 322. ISBN 0-19-510033-6.