sponsoriga

Sponsoriga is a genus of extinct insects in the order Raphidioptera. The name Sponsoriga is derived from the Greek word "spongos," meaning sponge, and the Latin suffix "-origa," suggesting a relationship to sponges or the like.

Fossil evidence suggests that Sponsoriga resided during the Jurassic period, roughly 215 million years ago to 152 million years ago. The genus is characterized by the presence of sponge coralla (calcified skeletons of sponges) as sedimentary components within the insect's fossil remains. This symbiosis between the insect and sponges suggests a mutually beneficial relationship.

Sponsoriga fossils have been found primarily in Europe and Asia, specifically in England, France, Spain, and China. The genus is part of the family Raphidiidae, a family of raphididid insects commonly referred to as snakeflies. Though the specific biology of Sponsoriga is not well understood, it has provided valuable insights into the companion behaviors and ecological roles of predatory insects during the Mesozoic era.

Systematics of Sponsoriga have been somewhat debated. Early descriptions of the genus have suggested alternate relationships with the family Protorthoptera. However, more recent studies suggest a direct affinity with the order Raphidioptera. It has been proposed that Sponsoriga likely co-evolved with its sponge companions as an essential component of a Mesozoic community.

Sponsoriga's unique relationship and relatively recent discovery offer a captivating example of the complexity and diversity of insect-symbiont relationships within the ancient ecosystems.