Revision of Fedekurtzia (pteridosperm) and allied fronds from the Carboniferous of Gondwana

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Carboniferous foliage of Fedekurtzia argentina (Kurtz) Archangelsky from Gondwana is systematically described and revised. The frond is reconstructed based on specimens of the late Serpukhovian-Bashkirian Nothorhacopteris/Botrychiopsis/Ginkgophyllum flora of western Argentina, especially from the Jejenes, Tupe and Volcán formations. The whole-frond reconstruction emphasizes the variation in pinnule shape throughout the basal, medial and distal sections of the frond. The basalmost rachis possesses cyclopteroid pinnules grading to pinnae with obovate to wedge-shaped pinnules at the medial section of the frond. Distal pinnae are shorter, bearing imbricate and more dissected pinnules.

Revision of Botrychiopsis plantiana: A Key Species of the Gzhelian–Cisuralian in Westernmost Gondwana

“…Although fragmentary material of Botrychiopsis may easily be confused with similar taxa such as Fedekurtzia (Kurtz) Archangelsky, 1981, the rounded pinnule margins with full basal attachment differentiate the former (Coturel & Césari, 2017).…”

“…Argentinian specimens of pollen organs known as Rinconadia Vega, 1995 have been described in close association with Botrychiopsis weissiana pinnae (Artabe et al, 1987;Césari & Limarino, 1988). Coturel & Césari (2017) suggested the probable relationship with the pteridosperm family Austrocalyxaceae Argentina, South Africa and Australia (McLoughlin, 1995). Morphologically similar to Botrychiopsis fronds, Bergiopteris is monopinnate, with pinnules exhibiting narrow and cordate base, oblong-elongated morphology and slightly lobate margins.…”

“…The studied material assigned to Botrychiopsis plantiana, from the Pallero Member collected by different geologists, includes fragmentary impressions in a very good state of preservation. The morphological description follows the terminology used for multipinnate frond architectures in upper Palaeozoic seed ferns by Archangelsky & Arrondo (1971), Knaus (1994), Coturel & Césari (2017) among other authors. The term pinnule is used for the smallest discrete division of the frond.…”