Protorthoptera

Protorthoptera is an extinct order of insects that lived from the Permian to the Triassic periods. They are considered to be ancestral to the modern Orthoptera, which includes grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Protorthoptera were relatively small insects, with most species measuring between 10 and 30 millimeters in length. They had long, slender bodies and two pairs of membranous wings, which were held flat over their backs when at rest. The forewings were slightly leathery, a characteristic shared with some modern Orthoptera.

The mouthparts of Protorthoptera were of the chewing type, indicating a herbivorous or omnivorous diet. Fossil evidence suggests that they fed on plants, fungi, and possibly other small invertebrates. Their legs were adapted for walking and running, and they likely possessed the ability to jump, though probably not as powerfully as modern grasshoppers. The antennae were filiform, meaning they were long and slender.

The classification of Protorthoptera has been a subject of debate among entomologists. Historically, many groups have been placed within this order, but modern research has led to the reclassification of some of these taxa into other orders or suborders. Consequently, the definition of Protorthoptera has become more restricted, generally referring to a specific lineage of early polyneopteran insects. Their significance lies in their position in insect evolutionary history, providing insights into the diversification of winged insects and the origins of prominent insect groups still present today.