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You are here: Home / Library / RBINS Staff Publications / The fern Stauropteris oldhamia Binney: New data on branch development and adaptive significance of the hypodermal aerenchyma

Maryam Farahimanesh, Philippe Gerrienne, Jean Galtier, and Cyrille Prestianni (2014)

The fern Stauropteris oldhamia Binney: New data on branch development and adaptive significance of the hypodermal aerenchyma

Comptes Rendus Palevol, 13(6):473-481.

Well-preserved specimens of Stauropteris oldhamia are described. The material was collected in the early 1920s from the Lower Westphalian (Early Pennsylvanian) Saurue seam from Belgium. The fossil plants occur as permineralized axes fragments within a coal ball. This study confirms most of the interpretations made by previous researchers. The observation of immature axis however suggests a less regular organization than previously interpreted beyond the three first branching orders. We also highlight the presence of profusely and dichotomously branched aphlebiae, the lack of laminate organs as well as the presence of hypodermal aerenchyma in all plant parts. We interpret these features as part of a very specialized assimilatory apparatus indicating an adaptation to a humid swamp environment.

Hypodermal aerenchyma, Permineralizations, Stauropterid fern, Carbonifère, Belgium, Belgique, Hypoderme aérenchymateux, Carboniferous, Fougère stauroptéridienne, Perminéralisations
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.crpv.2014.02.001
  • ISSN: 1631-0683

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