[en] A new lycopsid, Kowieria alveoformis gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Famennian Witpoort Formation, Grahamstown, South Africa. It possesses spirally arranged elongated falcate vegetative leaves. Terminal bisporangiate strobili are present and show loosely grouped micro- and megasporophylls. Sporophylls are similar in shape to the vegetative leaves though somewhat wider with a marked expansion to house the sporangium. One sporangium is attached directly to the adaxial surface of the lamina. Each megasporangium contains up to four heavily ornamented hologulate megaspores of the Lagenicula type. The combination of both basal and derived characters within this plant places it at an interesting position at the base of the phylogenetic tree of rhizomorphic lycopsids.
Gess, R.W.; Albany Museum and Geology Department, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
Prestianni, Cyrille ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Early Life Traces & Evolution-Astrobiology ; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
Language :
English
Title :
Kowieria alveoformis gen. nov. sp. nov., a new heterosporous lycophyte from the Latest Devonian of Southern Africa
Research support by the South African NRF -DST Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences (CoE in Palaeosciences) and support by the South African Millennium Trust are acknowledged by RG. The South African National Roads Agency is thanked for their support in the rescue of shale during roadworks and construction of storage sheds therefore. CP holds a BRAIN grant in the framework of the BELSPO ( BR/132/PI/PASTREE ) PASTREE project.
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