恐龍卡第 1156 張，共 2 027 張

Meganeura

名字的意思： “large vein or nerve”1

吃：肉史前傳奇古生代，恐龍出現之前不是恐龍，而是史前傳奇

Meganeura was a giant dragonfly-like insect that lived about 300 million years ago. It had a wingspan as wide as a small bird and was one of the biggest flying insects ever. It hunted other insects in open forests and near lakes.1 2

這隻不是恐龍，但牠是史前時代最有名的動物之一，所以在 Dino Wiki 也有一席之地。

生存年代

304 到 299 百萬年前3

古生代，恐龍出現之前

化石發現地

Commentry, France1 3

長度

0.6 到 0.75 m (2 到 2.5 ft)1

翼展

0.65 到 0.75 m (2.1 到 2.5 ft)1

體重

0.0178 kg 到 0.15 kg (0 到 0 lb)1

最高速度

時速約 40 公里（25 英里）

飛行, 估計值

牠生活在什麼時候？

恐龍出現之前

恐龍時代

哺乳動物時代

4 億年前25266現在

牠有多大？

牠有多長？

牠有多重？

跟 1 根香蕉一樣重

跟 4 根香蕉頭尾相接一樣長比一隻家貓還輕能在 9.5 秒內飛越一整座足球場

Meganeura 跟「你」比起來有多大？

只是在你的瀏覽器裡算算數學。什麼都不會被儲存或傳送出去。

牠有多快？

走路的人 時速約 5 公里 (3 mph)

騎腳踏車的小朋友 時速約 12 公里 (7 mph)

Meganeura 時速約 40 公里 (25 mph)

一匹飛奔的馬 時速約 65 公里 (40 mph)

一隻獵豹 時速約 100 公里 (62 mph)

酷東西

趣味知識

Meganeura's wingspan was about 65 to 75 centimetres (2.1 to 2.5 feet), bigger than any dragonfly alive today.1

Its huge compound eyes met along the top of its head, giving it excellent vision to spot prey against the sky.1 2

Meganeura was a 'hawker' that patrolled open areas and above the treetops, not a fast zigzag flyer through dense forests.2

Its legs had large spines that formed a 'flying trap' to grab insects in mid-air.1

Scientists think Meganeura spent a lot of time perching because its large body made breathing difficult during flight.1

The first Meganeura fossil was found in a coal mine in Commentry, France, in 1880.1

Only one species of Meganeura is considered valid today: Meganeura monyi.1

Meganeura 的 AI 繪圖 — 這是電腦根據科學家目前的知識，用 AI 畫出 Meganeura 可能的樣子。這只是猜測：真正的動物可能長得不一樣，也沒有人知道牠真正的顏色。

你們都在問

關於 Meganeura 最常被問的問題

?How big was Meganeura?

Meganeura had a wingspan of about 65 to 75 centimetres (2.1 to 2.5 feet) and a body length up to 43 centimetres (1.4 feet). It was one of the largest flying insects ever.1 4

?Could Meganeura fly fast?

No, it could not make sudden direction changes like modern dragonflies. It was a 'hawker' that patrolled open areas and above treetops, flying steadily rather than zigzagging.1 2

?What did Meganeura eat?

Meganeura was a predator that ate other insects. It used large spines on its legs to trap prey in mid-air, like a flying trap.1 4

?Is Meganeura a dinosaur?

No, Meganeura is not a dinosaur. It was a giant dragonfly-like insect that lived about 300 million years ago, long before dinosaurs evolved.1

?When did Meganeura live?

Meganeura lived during the Late Carboniferous period, about 300 million years ago.1

?Why was Meganeura so big?

Scientists think the high oxygen levels in the Carboniferous air may have helped it grow so large, but they are not sure. Another idea is that there were no big flying predators back then.1

?Did Meganeura have good eyesight?

Yes, it had huge compound eyes that met along the top of its head, giving it excellent vision to spot prey against the sky.1 2

?Where was Meganeura found?

The first Meganeura fossil was found in a coal mine in Commentry, France, in 1880.1

?How much did Meganeura weigh?

Estimates vary a lot, from about 18 grams (0.04 pounds) up to 100 to 150 grams (0.22 to 0.33 pounds). Scientists are not sure of the exact weight.1

?Could Meganeura swim?

No, Meganeura was a flying insect that lived near water but did not swim. It probably perched on plants and patrolled open areas for prey.1 2

迷思破解王

迷思： Meganeura could fly as fast and agile as modern dragonflies.

真相： Meganeura could not make sharp turns like modern dragonflies because its wings lacked certain joints. It was a slower, gliding hunter.1 2

給恐龍專家

學名: Meganeura
命名者: Brongniart 18855
類群: 史前傳奇
科 / 演化支: Meganeuridae5
分類: Insecta > Meganisoptera > Meganeuridae5
岩石的年代: 304 到 299 百萬年 (Gzhelian)5
岩層: Commentry Shales5
國家: 法國5
化石紀錄: The Paleobiology Database 收錄 7 筆5
發現: French paleontologist Charles Brongniart named Meganeura in 1885 after studying fossils from Commentry, France. The first fossil was found in 1880.1 3
仍有爭議: Scientists are still unsure exactly how heavy Meganeura was, with estimates ranging from 18 grams to 150 grams.1