A Dichocarpum-like Angiosperm from the Early Cretaceous of China

The Yixian Formation (the Early Cretaceous) of China has yielded a diverse group of early angiosperms, revealing the charm of angiosperms from the formation is far from finishing. Here we report a fossil angiosperm, Nothodichocarpum gen. et sp. nov, with physically connected female parts, male parts, branches, and leaves with pinnate reticulate venation from the Yixian Formation of Liaoning, China. In addition to the previous reports, this report underscores the diversity of angiosperms in the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation and earlier origin of angiosperms. The morphological variations in the reproductive parts in different stages allow us to infer the development of this early angiosperm. This fossil plant demonstrates a unique character assemblage that sheds new light on the origin and evolution of carpels.     

A New Angiosperm Genus from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation, Western Liaoning, China

The abundant fossils of early angiosperms found in the Yixian Formation (125 Ma, Early Cretaceous) have demonstrated unexpectedly high diversity and various reproductive strategies, and thus have shed new light on early angiosperm evolution. Here, using light microscope and scanning electron microscope, we document several fructifications of Baicarpus gen. nov. from Liaoning province, China. Each fructification of the new taxon includes several apocarpous carpels/fruits attached in an urn-formed gynobase. Each fruit/carpel has a persistent straight style and an ovary enclosing a single seed. These fossil plants demonstrate a new floral organization and thus enhance our understanding of the diversity of angiosperms in the Yixian Formation. Together with previously reported ones, this fossil angiosperm suggests an origin time for angiosperms earlier than widely accepted.     

The Albian fern flora of Alexander Island,Antarctica

The Albian Alexander Island macrofossil flora from the Antarctic Peninsula preserves a diverse community of liverworts (Marchantiophyta), ferns (Polypodiopsida), Lycopodiales, Equisetales, Cycadales, Ginkgoales, seed-ferns (Bennettitales and Pentoxylales), Coniferales, and the first representatives of angiospermous leaves in Antarctica. Despite the presence of angiosperms in this assemblage, ferns are the most diverse element of the flora and are also ecologically dominant, while angiosperms contribute a smaller component to floristic diversity and have low abundance. Here we describe 11 fern taxa from this assemblage. The fossils are assigned to Cladophlebis, Sphenopteris and two newly created genera. The new genera and species are described under Adiantitophyllum serratum gen. et. sp. nov. and Nunatakia alexanderensis gen. et. sp. nov., and the new species are recognized as Cladophlebis dissecta sp. nov., Cladophlebis drinnanii sp. nov., Cladophlebis macloughlinii sp. nov. and Sphenopteris sinuosa sp. nov. In total, there are 24 fern species known from Alexander Island. In comparison to older floras (Jurassic) there is a greater diversity of ferns, while latest Cretaceous floras preserve significantly fewer fern species and more angiosperms. Possible factors that might account for such high fern diversity are high rainfall or generally humid conditions, regular disturbances by flooding and occasionally fire, and the preservation of a diverse range of fern communities that represent several palaeoenvironments.     

A Novel Angiosperm from the Early Cretaceous and Its Implications for Carpel‐Deriving

The Yixian Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of China is famous for its fossils of early angiosperms, and these fossils have shed otherwise unavailable light on the evolution of angiosperms. The seeds in Archaefructus and Nothodichocarpum are inserted along the dorsal of the fruits while those in Sinocarpus are along the ventral of the fruits, suggesting different Bau‐plans and pathways deriving the carpels in these plants of the Early Cretaceous. Adding further fossil evidence, here we report a novel fossil angiosperm, Neofructus lingyuanensis gen. et sp. nov, with its seeds inserted on both ventral and dorsal sides of the fruits documented through light microscopic and SEM observations, suggesting a novel way forming gynoecium in the Yixian Formation. These fossil angiosperms indicate that angiosperm gynoecia in the Yixian Formation (the Barremian to Aptian) are derived in obviously different ways, implying an evolutionary scenario for angiosperms quite different from formerly assumed.     

A New Genus of Fossil Cycads Yixianophyllum gen. nov. from the Late Jurassic Yixian Formation, Western Liaoning, China

A new genus of fossil Cycads, Yixianophyllum gen. nov., is reported here. The specimens were collected from the southern hill of Jinjiagou village, Toudaohezi Town, Yixian County, western Liaoning Province, China. The fossil plant-beating bed belongs to the lower part, the Zhuanchengzi bed, of the Upper Jurassic Yixian Formation （Yixianian）. The new genus in leaf shape, venation and epidermal structure shows a transitional form between Mesozoic Cycads （Ctenis, Nilssonia） and modem Cycads （Stangeria and Encephalartos）. Since the features of these specimens differ from any known genera of Cycads, a new generic name Yixianophyllum is proposed for these leaves. Typical species, Yixianophyllum jinjiagouense gen. et sp. nov. is described here. A supposed evolutionary tendency of Cycadean leaf-forms with Taeniopteris-type is discussed.     

Cenomanian florule of Nammoura, Lebanon

The mid-Cenomanian fish beds of Nammoura, Mont-Liban district, Lebanon contain a diverse fauna of aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates, a few crustaceans and moderately well-preserved plant remains of which a single species,Sapindopsis anhouryi , was previously described by Dilcher & Basson (1990). We add 11 species of ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms of which Nammouria cretacea gen. et sp. nov, Nupharanthus cretacea gen. et sp. nov., Sapindopsis libanensis sp. nov. and Nammourophyllum altingioides gen. et sp. nov. are new taxa. The florule differs markedly from both Early Cretaceous and Turonian plant assemblages of the Middle East, thereby representing a distinct stage of the regional floristic evolution. Its phytogeographic affinities are with contemporaneous floras of North America, Central Europe and the Crimea. A combination of such features as xeromorphism, the prevalence of compound leaves, and the presence of deciduous angiosperm components and gymnosperms may indicate climatic conditions similar to those of the present day Mediterranean.     

Diversity of palmately lobed leaves in the early–middle Albian of eastern Russia

Diversity of palmately lobed leaves of angiosperms of the early–middle Albian floras of the Kolyma River Basin, the Omsukchan Coal Basin, Khabarovsk and Primorye Regions was studied. Leaf fossils, previously compared with those of genera Aralia, Sassafras and Lindera, now reassigned to the fossil genus Araliaephyllum. Four new combinations and one new species are published: A. kolymense (Kryshtofovich) Golovneva, comb. nov., A. luciferum (Kryshtofovich) Golovneva, comb. nov., A. ussuriense (Krassilov) Golovneva, comb. nov., A. ievlevii (Samylina) Golovneva, comb. nov., and A. popovii Golovneva, sp. nov. The type material has been restudied in detail, and lectotypes have been selected to all newly typified species. These species share many lauralean morphological and venation features. They represent the most likely early members of this group. This relationship is based on detailed study of the leaf architecture and comparison with other fossils with studied epidermal features. This study expands our knowledge of radiation and biogeography patterns of early angiosperms in northeastern Asia.     

A diverse pollen assemblage found on Friisicarpus infructescences (Platanaceae) from the Cenomanian–Turonian of Kazakhstan

Pollen grains found on, or within, pistillate reproductive structures are described for numerous gymnosperms and angiosperms. Attribution of these pollen grains to the macrofossils is often risky and requires additional evidence. This study, based on the material from the Cenomanian–Turonian of Kazakhstan, is the first to document in detail different types of pollen adhering to platanoid infructescences of Friisicarpus sarbaensis. Infructescence parts were examined under SEM in search of pollen. Pollen grains were removed from SEM stubs and studied with LM and TEM. About 250 pollen grains adhering to infructescence axes and carpels were studied; they are small, reticulate (rarely foveolate), tricolpate or tricolporate, and columellate. At least nine pollen types have been distinguished based mainly on the details of the exine sculpturing. The exine ultrastructure was characterized for four prevailing types. Considering pollen morphology and ultrastructure, three types were shown to be produced by platanoids and one was probably ranunculid. Other pollen types are harder to refer to a certain group, though one of them probably belongs to Hamamelidaceae and another one shows exine sculpturing similar to Chloranthaceae pollen. One of the types prevails (about 170 pollen grains) and resembles pollen found on inflorescences of other Friisicarpus species, so we consider that this type was produced by the parent plant. Pollen grains of another type are identical to pollen of Sarbaya radiata from the same locality. The diversity and abundance of different pollen types of the similar size and sculpture found on the infructescences of Friisicarpus sarbaensis favour entomophily of this plant but challenge specific plant-insect specialization.     

Plant remains from the Lower Cretaceous Fossil-Lagerstätte of Pietraroja,Benevento, southern Italy

Plant macrofossils with epidermal features from the Lower Albian (Lower Cretaceous) Plattenkalk 2 as exposed in “Le Cavere” quarry within Pietraroja Fossil-Lagerstätte, southern Italy, include sterile foliage-bearing shoots and reproductive structures of gymnosperms and possible angiosperm leaves occurring in a controversial marine depositional environment. The following taxa are recorded: Brachyphyllum sp., Frenelopsis sp., Cheirolepidiaceae gen. et sp. indet. and Nageiopsis?. Bituminous strata of the lower Plattenkalk 2 are full of plant debris composed mainly of isolated leaves and sterile axes. Taphonomic considerations suggest parautochtonous deposition for Frenelopsis while the other plant remains are allochthonous. Among the plants studied, the cheirolepidiaceous conifers have ecological significance owing to their (debated) xeromorphic foliar features. These adaptations suggest a warm and dry, or possibly coastal palaeoenvironment. Studied plant fossils together with sedimentological and palaeozoological considerations do not exclude a lagoonal hypothesis for Pietraroja sedimentary basin. This research expands the phytotaxonomic knowledge of the emergent lands within the Early Cretaceous Apenninic Carbonate Platform (ACP).     

New fossil mesosciophilids (Diptera: Nematocera) from the Yixian Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of western Liaoning,China

A new genus with two new species, Orentalphila gravia gen. et sp. nov. and O. caloa sp. nov., and three new species in two known genera, Sinosciophila angustia sp. nov., Sinosciophila seboa sp. nov. and Similsciophila undulata sp. nov., are described from the Lower Cretaceous of Yixian Formation at Huangbanjigou, Beipiao City, western Liaoning, China. These new taxa, representing the first records of mesosciophilids from this locality, provide morphological information and diversity for Mesosciophilidae in the Early Cretaceous. An updated key to known genera of Mesosciophilidae is provided. In addition, according the generic diagnosis revised by Zhang, 2007, Mesoplecia antiqua Hao and Ren, 2009 should be transferred to Mesosciophila Rohdendorf, 1946.     

New Occurrence of the Early Cambrian Chengjiang Fauna in Haikou, Kunming, Yunnan Province,and Study on Trilobitoidea

This paper gives a brief report on the new occurrence of the Early CambrianQiongzhusi' an Chengjiang fauna in the Haikou area, Kunming and its assemblage feature andthe stratigraphic section of the horizon yielding these fossils. Eight genera and 8 species ofTrilobitoidea are described here, embracing Leanchoilia asiatica Luo et Hu (sp. nov.), Yohoiasinensis Luo et Hu (sp. nov.), Zhongxinia speciosa Luo et Hu (gen. et sp. nov.), Xandarellaspectuculum Hou et al., Dianchia mirabilis Luo et Hu (gen. et sp. nov.), Kuamaia lata Hou,Retifacies longispinus Luo et Hu (sp. nov.) and Sinoburius lunaris Hou et al.     

浙江天台盆地蛋化石与恐龙的绝灭

综合报道了浙江天台盆地产出的蛋化石，其中包括新建立的龟鳖化石蛋科(新科)Tesmdoolithidae ram. nov.和天台蛋属(新属)Tiantaioolithus gen. nov.,以及5个新种：Dendroolithus shuangtangensis sp. nov.,Elongatoolithus chichengshanensis sp. nov,Elongatoolithus laijiaensis sp. nov,Spheroolithus jincunensis sp. nov,Tiantaioolithus jiangi sp. nov。这批蛋化石以赤城山组出现的类型最为丰富，有长形蛋、树枝蛋、圆形蛋、龟鳖类化石蛋等；赖家组蛋化石数量少，仅见长形蛋和圆形蛋类，其时代均为晚白垩世。推测天台蛋化石消失的原因是由于气候变冷，受精卵不能正常孵化所致。孵化率降低，生殖链打断，可能是引起恐龙绝灭的原因之一。     

河北宽城长城系下统微古植物群

河北宽城崖门子剖面长城系下统(常州沟组、串岭沟组和团山子组)页岩中微古植物丰富多样,保存完好,其中尤以串岭沟组最佳。经鉴定总计17属63种,包括5个新种。这进一步揭示了长城系下统各组微古植物的特征,亦为上述各组的空间分布和对比提供了有力的古生物依据。     

A Whole Plant Herbaceous Angiosperm from the Middle Jurassic of China

In contrast to woody habit with secondary growth, truthful herbaceous habit lacking secondary growth is restricted to angiosperms among seed plants. Although angiosperms might have occurred as early as in the Triassic and herbaceous habit theoretically may have been well adopted by pioneer angiosperms, pre-Cretaceous herbs are missing hitherto, leaving the origin of herbs and evolution of herbaceous angiosperms mysterious. Here we report Juraherba bodae gen. et sp. nov, a whole plant herbaceous angiosperm, from the Middle Jurassic (>164 Ma) at Daohugou Village, Inner Mongolia, China, a fossil Lagerst?tten that is worldwide famous for various fossil finds. The angiospermous affinity of Juraherba is ensured by its enclosed ovules/seeds. The plant is small but complete, with physically connected hairy root, stem, leaves, and fructifications. The Middle Jurassic age recommends Juraherba as the earliest record of herbaceous seed plants, demanding a refresh look at the evolutionary history of angiosperms.     

新疆乌鲁木齐祁家沟晚石炭世四射珊瑚

本文共描述12属、24种和亚种,其中1新属,19新种和新亚种。隶属于晚石炭世早期祁家沟组的四射珊瑚9属、16种和亚种及Amplexus qijiagouensis-Cystilophophyllum minor组合。隶属于晚石炭世晚期奥尔吐组的四射珊瑚5属9种。     

Buxus Leaves from the Oligocene of Guangxi, China and Their Biogeographical Signi?cance

The present paper reports two new species of Buxus from the Oligocene Ningming Formation of Guangxi, South China, on the basis of several compressed fossil leaves. Buxus ningmingensis sp. nov. is characterized by an elliptic to ovate shape; pinnate venation with marginal secondary, long hairs on the adaxial side of the midvein base; and amphistomatic, anomocytic stomata with a prominent outer ring. All of these characteristics suggest a closest af?nity to the living Buxus microphylla subsp. sinica. Another new species identi?ed as Buxus preaustro-yunnanensis sp. nov. is characterized by the diagnostic formation of its admedially branched tertiaries, the trunks of which are often strongly thickened by sclereides. This species is most similar to the extant Buxus austro-yunnanensis. The co-occurrence of Buxus ningmingensis sp. nov. and Buxus preaustro-yunnanensis sp. nov. suggests that these two Buxus lived during the Oligocene under a warm, tropical to subtropical climate, similar to the current climate of Ningming. Our ?ndings provide the earliest fossil evidence of Buxus leaves with detailed illustrations of leaf architectural and cuticular features. The occurrence of these two species indicates that Buxus began to diversify in Guangxi no later than the Oligocene.     

New Cenomanian florule and a leaf mine from southeastern Morocco: Palaeoecological and climatological inferences

The recently found Gara Sbaa florule of southeastern Morocco comes from distinctive carbonate lamellites with abundant fish fauna above the terrestrial/paralic Kem Kem sequence and correlated with the basal horizon of the open shelf carbonate Akrabou Formation. It is a “mixed” assemblage of ferns and gymnosperms of “Wealden aspect” associated with relatively advanced angiosperms, suggesting floristic exchanges between the insular land masses of northern Africa and southern Europe. The climatic conditions are inferred to have been similar to the mildly dry subtropical climate of the western Canary Islands. New taxa of aquatic angiosperms Garasbahia fexuosa Krassilov et Bacchia gen. et sp nov. and a leaf mine Troponoma constricta Krassilov, sp. nov. are described.     

A New Zosterophyll Plant, Ramoferis gen. nov., from the Posongchong Formation of Lower Devonian (Pragian) of Southeastern Yunnan, China

A new genus and species,Ramoferis amalia gen.et sp.nov.,is described from the Early Devonian(Pragian)Posongchong Formation,Wenshan district of southeastern Yunnan,China.This plant has isodichotomous major axes,which also divide anisotomously distally to produce closely spaced lateral branches,often within fertile regions.The stalked round to reniform sporangia,borne laterally and spirally over several levels of branches,are distantly to moderately spaced or aggregated into distinct spikes.The stalks incr...     

Fossil coniferous wood from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota in western Liaoning,NE China: New material and palaeoclimate implications

The Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota, one of the most important Mesozoic lagerstätten in East Asia, is especially well-known for occurrences of fossil feathered dinosaurs and early angiosperms. However, the terrestrial biodiversity, especially the fossil wood record, is poorly known. In this study, several structurally preserved coniferous wood specimens from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation are investigated, based on collections from the Heichengzi Basin in Beipiao of western Liaoning, Northeast China. Four species referred to four genera of fossil wood are described, including Taxodioxylon heichengziense sp. nov., Thujoxylon beipiaoense sp. nov., Sciadopityoxylon liaoningense Ding and Protocedroxylon shengjinbeigouense sp. nov. These new records enlarge the fossil wood diversity of the Yixian Formation up to 10 species in 9 genera, and provide further insights into the forest vegetation composition of the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota. Systematic analysis of the floral constitution indicates that the petrified forests of the Yixian Formation are dominated by conifers, represented by Araucariaceae, Podocarpaceae, Sciadopityaceae, Pinaceae and Cupressaceae in the western Liaoning region. Palaeoclimatical analysis of the fossil wood assemblage implies that the western Liaoning region was dominated by a cool temperate, wet and seasonal climate with variable interannual water supply in the western Liaoning region during the Early Cretaceous.     

Ashgill trilobite faunas from the Llŷn Peninsula,North Wales,U.K.

The Crugan Mudstone Formation is formalized and the Dwyfor Mudstone Formation proposed for restricted Ashgill outcrops respectively near Llanbedrog and Llanystwmdwy in the Llŷn Peninsula. These mudstones contain brachiopods of the Foliomena fauna and a total of 26 determined genera of trilobites, one, Pseudosphaeroxochus represented by a new species, P. seabornei sp. nov. Elements of the trilobite fauna are used to demonstrate a Rawtheyan age for the mudstones. The generic assemblages both of brachiopods and of trilobites present in the mudstones indicate relatively deep water environments of deposition, that of the Dwyfor Mudstones probably being the deeper. The trilobites belong to what is here described as the Nankinolithus-Opsimasaphus association.