| Type species | P. ashmeadi Cockerell [Florissant, Colorado] |
| Number of known species | 1 |
| Origin | Tertiary shales of Florissant (Colorado, USA) |
| Diagnosis | No bullae apicad of vein (Rs+M)b |
| Species recognition | Cockerell, 1906 |
| Status | Related to Schlettererius? |
| Research in progress | Overview of fossil Stephanidae |
| Databasing | not started |
Brues (1933) believed this genus did not belong to Stephanidae, based on the fact that, according to Cockerell's description, it lacked a toothed hind femur, a synapomorphy for the family. Brues, however, never examined the type specimen. I was able to examine this holotype recently (see links for pictures below), and it is indeed a stephanid. Its relationships with other genera, however, is still obscure, and is being investigated.
Pictures (Specimen fossilized in ventral view)
Head
Thorax
Front wing
Front wing (detail)
This page last updated: January 21, 1999.