This monographic review of the Nevrorthidae Nakahara, 1915, covers all 19 validly
described, extant species worldwide that belong to one of the smallest families of
the order Neuroptera. The family embraces four genera: Nevrorthus Costa, 1863 (with
five species occurring in the Mediterranean region), Austroneurorthus Nakahara, 1958
(with two species restricted to eastern Australia), Nipponeurorthus Nakahara, 1958
(with 11 species from eastern Asia: Japanese islands, mainland China, Taiwan), and
Sinoneurorthus Liu, H. Aspöck & U. Aspöck, 2012 (with one species recorded from mainland
China). A comprehensive taxonomical treatment of all extant taxa is presented, including
the scant available biological data. Distribution maps for all species are provided.
A phylogenetic analysis based on morphological data from both extant and extinct taxa
was performed. Austroneurorthus, together with Nevrorthus and some Eocene Baltic amber
genera, form a monophylum. The disjunct distribution of modern nevrorthid genera demonstrates
the relictual nature of the family and points to a historical biogeography that could
have led to the formation of the present distribution pattern. Future discovery of
fossil material might substantiate these claims.
Sonnet for a Vulnerable Creature
Is the Climate still fine?
Still clean, the Riverine?
Ruined rivulets run dry
Fossils – tho’ living – may Die.