Meganeura monyi

General Information
Meganeura (meaning 'large-nerved') was a large dragonfly with a 75 centimetre wingspan, and it lived in the Late Carboniferous, and became extinct at the turning of the period. In its age, it was the largest of all flying animals, and would rival the birds in size were it alive today. It did not just eat insects and arthropods, like its closest living relative, the dragonfly, as other prey was available, such as the swift Petrolacosaurus. Its legs were covered in spines and, with the help of its 'tail limbs', could grasp very effectively at this prey. Meganeura probably later evolved into the slightly smaller Meganeuropsis.