| Abstract Detail
Paleobotany Wilson, Elizabeth [1], Jud, Nathan [2]. Revising the description and diagnosis of the Late Pennsylvanian medullosan Neuropteris lindahli White based on new fossil material. The Desmoinesian-Missourian boundary (~306 Mya) in North America marks an important shift in tropical wetland ecosystems. The medullosan gymnosperm Neuropteris lindahli White (1903) serves as an index fossil for the early Missourian in the western interior basin in North America. David White described Neuropteris lindahli from compression fossils collected near Kansas City, Missouri in 1903. Since then, our concept of Neuropteris has changed and several genera have been segregated out. We examined new material of Neuropteris lindahli from 6 localities in the Kansas City area to compare its morphology with that of other medullosan genera and determine whether Neuropteris is the appropriate genus for this species. So far, Neuropteris lindahli differs from typical Neuropteris in several ways. The lateral pinnules are small (<100mm2) and narrow (24 mm wide), and they have strongly revolute margins. The midvein in N. lindahli extends nearly the length of the pinnule and lateral veins that fork only 1–2 times, whereas in typical Neuropteris pinnules are larger, the midvein typically extends only 50–67% the length of the pinnule, and the lateral veins fork 2–4 times. We have not observed evidence of intercalated (rachidal) pinnae that also characterize typical Neuropteris. Additional comparisons with other genera that include characters of the cuticle may serve as the basis for transferring this early Missourian index taxon to a different genus.
1 - William Jewell College, Department of Biology, 500 College Hill, Liberty, MO, 64068, USA
2 - William Jewell College, Biology, 300 College Hill, Liberty, MO, 64068, United States
Keywords:
Paleozoic
paleobotany
Medullosales
index fossil.
Presentation Type: Poster
Number: PPB006
Abstract ID:1047
Candidate for Awards:None |
