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Premise of research. Ten anatomically preserved conifer seed cone specimens are preserved on the surfaces of, and within, three interlocking rock fragments of terrestrial limestone discovered as float along the Colville River on the North Slope of Alaska, providing additional evidence for the diversification of taiwanioid Cupressaceae during the Upper Cretaceous–Cenozoic interval. Methodology. Specimens on rock surfaces were measured and photographed, and then serial anatomical thin sections were prepared by the cellulose acetate peel technique. Three-dimensional images of selected specimens were also captured using micro–computed tomography (micro-CT). Pivotal results. The structure of these seed cones is similar to that of living Taiwania cryptomerioides in cone shape, the presence of subtending scalelike leaves, helically arranged and imbricating foliate ovuliferous complexes (OCs), the absence of a separate ovuliferous scale tip, variation in numbers of OCs, and by having two adaxially positioned winged seeds per complex. However, abruptly upturned OC, details of OC vasculature, and distinctive histological features reveal that these seed cones represent a new species of the extinct genus Mukawastrobus. Conclusions. When added to the existing record of fossil seed cones, the new species Mukawastrobus arnoldii highlights the recent discovery that among early-diverging lineages of Cupressaceae, there has been considerable Cretaceous, Paleogene, and Neogene evolution that is reflected by variations among subtle characters that are not recognizable in any but the most completely preserved specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of research. Early Cretaceous (Valanginian) rocks exposed at Apple Bay (Vancouver Island, Canada) have yielded numerous anatomically preserved bryophytes that have expanded our knowledge of the pre-Cenozoic fossil record of this group. A new moss type with tricostate leaves from Apple Bay combines characters not encountered in moss species recorded previously, warranting in-depth characterization of a new taxon. Methodology. Carbonate concretions containing permineralized fossil material were sectioned using the cellulose acetate peel technique. The resulting acetate peels providing serial sections through the bryophyte specimens were used to reconstruct the habit of the plant and its leaves in two and three dimensions. Pivotal results. We describe a new species of moss in the family Tricostaceae, Tricosta priapiana sp. nov. The anatomy and morphology of the new species justify expanding and refining the diagnoses of Tricostaceae and Tricosta , especially with respect to perigonial branches and the morphology of branch buds. The presence of pseudoparaphyllia surrounding the branch buds supports the pleurocarpous affinities proposed previously for the Tricostaceae. Conclusions. Tricosta priapiana adds to the diversity of tricostate mosses, an extinct group that was intriguingly diverse in the Mesozoic. Nevertheless, the tricostate state is probably a convergent trait, or a trait that may have evolved independently in acrocarpous and pleurocarpous moss lineages in response to similar selective pressures. Still, it remains unclear what such selective pressures may have been, as the paleoclimates and habitats that hosted the tricostate mosses are not well circumscribed, precluding comparisons among the different species and their closest analogs among living multicostate mosses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of research. Two permineralized inflorescences have been found in calcium carbonate concretions from the Eocene Appian Way locality on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, increasing sampling density and helping clarify the pattern of phylogeny for Alismatalean monocots. Methodology. Serial sections of specimens were prepared by the cellulose acetate peel technique and studied with light microscopy. Phylogenetic analyses using a morphological matrix of living and fossil Araceae and Acoraceae were performed using TNT version 1.5 to help establish relationships of the fossil inflorescences. Pivotal results. Inflorescences are cylindrical spikes, >37 mm long and 8.1 mm wide, with a peduncle at least 14.5 mm long, bearing numerous helically arranged, bisexual sessile flowers with hooded tepals. Fruits are trilocular, with basal axile placentation and one seed per locule. Remnants of probable stamens are present in most flowers. Conclusions. Flower structure was compared to those of other petalloid, spicate, bisexual flowers in the monocot families Acoraceae and Araceae (Alismatales). The number of carpels is similar to that in Acorus (Acoraceae) and Spathiphyllum (Araceae, Monsteroideae) and some Pothoideae. Single-seeded ovaries are common in Araceae, while the locules in Acorus contain several apically attached seeds. Phylogenetic analyses place Appianospadix in Proto-Araceae near the base of the aroid tree. This inflorescence with a unique combination of characters is described as Appianospadix bogneri , a new genus and species of Alismatales (family: Araceae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of research. Numerous large permineralized fossil seeds from the Jurassic of Haida Gwaii, western Canada, provide evidence for the mode and tempo of cycad evolution. Methodology. Fossil seed specimens are studied from external morphology and serially sectioned by the classic cellulose acetate peel technique to reveal anatomical features of the integument, vascular system, nucellus, and gametophyte. Fossils are compared to living cycad seeds that are also examined from external views, dissections, and anatomical preparations. Pivotal results. The fossil seeds are described as Traskia maahlae gen. et sp. nov. Features of the integument and vascular system reveal that T. maahlae is a stem group cycad that shares seed architecture and mode of germination with living Cycas spp. Conclusions. Traskia maahlae adds to a growing body of paleontological data on stem and crown group cycads. Results suggest that modern pollination and postpollination biology and the two contrasting modes of cycad seed germination evolved during the Mesozoic but that crown group cycad species may not have appeared until the Cenozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of research. Sixteen compression/impression specimens of a new floating aquatic angiosperm that enrich our knowledge of Late Cretaceous vegetation have been identified from the early Maastrichtian St. Mary River Formation near Cardston, Alberta, Canada. Methodology. Fossils were studied using dégagement and photographed under reflected light. Leaves were morphotyped using methodology in the Manual of Leaf Architecture and compared to other extant and extinct rosette-forming floating aquatic angiosperms. Pivotal results. Stems of this aquatic dicot show determinate growth of floating shoots with opposite/decussate attachment of heterophyllous leaves. Leaves are simple and sessile at the apicalmost node, simple and petiolate at the second node, and compound with three leaflets at nodes 3–6. Compound leaves are petiolate and ternate (trifoliate). Leaflet shape is unlobed, obovate, and symmetrical; base is acute-obtuse; apex angle is obtuse; base shape is convex; petiolar attachment is marginal; apex shape is rounded; and margin is crenate. Primary veins are flabellate to pinnate with three to five basal veins that dichotomize distally. Secondary veins are craspedodromous with uniform spacing and angles. Teeth are of a single order, three per centimeter near apex, and convex-convex; the sinus is angular, and the apex is foraminate. Conclusions. While the basic growth habit of this plant is similar to that of several extant taxa in the Onagraceae, Lythraceae, Plantaginaceae, and Hydrocharitaceae, leaf venation and the presence of compound leaves differ greatly from the living species. In growth habit and the presence of both simple and compound leaves, the new plant is similar to Quereuxia angulata , also found at this fossil site. These fossils are described as a new genus and species, Tolmania aquatica Edmonds, Stockey & Rothwell, which differs from Quereuxia in pattern of heterophylly, venation, larger plant size, stem morphology, and the presence of hydathodes in the leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizomorphic lycopsids constitute the most derived lycophyte clade and some of the world's best-known plant fossils. Arboreous taxa within the clade evolved independently of other nonlycophyte trees. Their rootstocks (rhizomorphs) have distinctive morphologies and anatomies and unusually canalized ontogenies, leading to debates regarding homology and functional morphology. Traditionally referred to form genus Stigmaria , rhizomorphs of arboreous genera are repeatedly isotomous, producing a helical rhizotaxy of abundant determinate appendages (rootlets). Regarded as leaf homologues, reexamination of fossil and living Isoetes "rootlets" suggests some shared genetic and morphological traits with true roots, while maintaining many leaflike phenotypic traits. This logic cannot automatically be extended to the radially symmetrical, rootlet-producing rhizomorph axes, which are inferred to combine developmental programs that distinguish root from shoot in nonlycophytes. Comparative embryogeny of several fossil genera plus Isoetes suggests shared ontogeny and heterochronically driven divergences. The first-formed microphylls and root support the juvenile plant until the rhizomorph is produced laterally as a sui generis organ that rapidly co-opts the role of the first-formed root, transitioning from radial to bilateral to radial symmetry. We reevaluate the conventional view that the rootlets were abscised, despite their superficial origin. Rootlets are common in areas of comparatively low resistance, which suggests low penetrating power. In addition to dissolved minerals, rootlets may have gathered soil CO2 for use within the rhizomorph and/or shoot system, and exposed upwardly directed roots may have been photosynthetic. In soil, rootlets improved anchorage, whereas in open water, largely hollow mature roots may have enhanced stigmarian system buoyancy and nucleated floating peat mats. Examination of hundreds of in situ stumps has failed to locate an uprooted specimen; hollowed-out dead stumps were conduits for materials into potentially dysoxic levels in the substrate. We cannot identify close modern analogues for the ecological role played by these unique trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]