The earliest Late Carboniferous winged insect (Insecta, Protodonata) from Argentina: geographical and stratigraphical location

The geographical and stratigraphical location of the oldest winged fossil i nsect from Argentina is given. The specimen was found in lacustrine sedimen tary rocks of the lower part of the Guandacol Formation which outcrops at C erro Guandacol, southwest La Rioja province. It is the most complete specim en of Protodonata found at present in South America. It shows articulated f ore and hind wings, prothoracic winglets, and head and abdomen remains. Thi s specimen is assigned to Eugeropteridae Riek, probably representing a new genus and species. According to their stratigraphical position and the asso ciated megaflora (referable to Assemblage NBG's Biozone), the fossiliferous level can be assigned to the lowest part of the Upper Carboniferous (proba bly upper Namurian).