| Abstract Detail
Paleobotanical Section Serbet, Rudolph [1], Taylor, Thomas N. [2], Taylor, Edith L. [2]. Ceratophyllum from southern Alberta, Canada: extending the geologic range of an extant group. Two silicified fruits with ceratophyllaceous affinities have been recovered from the Cretaceous of Alberta, Canada. The fruits are 5.5 mm long, 4.0 mm wide, 2.0 mm thick and have a length width ratio of 1.4. The three dimensional preservation of these fruits allows for the recognition of surface features in great detail. Extending from the apex is a single large hollow stylar spine; at the other end is a conspicuous peduncle. Ornamentation consists of small tubercles on the main body; tubercles on the margin are larger. An internal cast of one of the fruits is interpreted as representing the remains of a single seed. The specimens from southern Alberta are similar in length and width as those described from Paleogene and Neogene deposits of North America and Asia. They differ, however, in lacking lateral spines and wings which makes them morphologically similar to the extant “spineless” phenotype of Ceratophyllum demersum, C. echinatum, C. muricatum subsp. muricatum and C. muricatum subsp. australe. The fossil fruits are included within the size range of C. demersum and C. echinatum. The recognition of ceratophyllaceous fruits from the Mesozoic of Alberta not only extends the geological range of this taxon, but they also indicate that this group was diversified prior to the Paleogene.
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1 - University of Kansas, Division of Paleobotany, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center, 1200 Sunnyside Ave., Lawrence, Kansas, 66045-7534, USA
2 - University of Kansas, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center, 1200 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, Kansas, 66045-7534, USA
Keywords:
Ceratophyllum
Cretaceous
Silicified
Alberta.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 41
Location: 102/Law
Date: Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
Time: 10:30 AM
Number: 41002
Abstract ID:805 |
