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The Jurassic relict Royal fern, Osmunda regalis L., is widely distributed across temperate zones in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Even though this species has been utilised for centuries as a medicinal plant, its phytochemical composition mainly remains unknown. As part of our ongoing research to identify potential lead compounds for future anticancer drugs, 17 natural products were characterised from the aerial parts of Osmunda regalis L. Fifteen of these compounds were identified in this species for the first time, including the six previously undescribed compounds kaempferol 3-O-(2"-O-(2"'-α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranoside, quercetin 3-O-(2"-O-(2"'-α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranoside, kaempferol 3-O-(2"-O-(2"'-α-rhamnopyranosyl-6"'-O-(E)-caffeoyl-)-β-glucopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranoside, 3-methoxy-5-hydroxy-4-olide, 4-hydroxy-3-(3'-hydroxy-4'-(hydroxyethyl)-oxotetrafuranone-5-methyl tetrahydropyranone, and 4-O-(5-hydroxy-4-oxohexanoyl) osmundalactone. The molecular structures were determined by combining several 1D and 2D NMR experiments, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and HRMS. Determination of cytotoxicity against AML MOLM-13, H9c2, and NRK cell lines showed that two isolated lactones exhibited significant cytotoxic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jurassic relict Royal fern, Osmunda regalis L., is widely distributed across temperate zones in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Even though this species has been utilised for centuries as a medicinal plant, its phytochemical composition mainly remains unknown. As part of our ongoing research to identify potential lead compounds for future anticancer drugs, 17 natural products were characterised from the aerial parts of Osmunda regalis L. Fifteen of these compounds were identified in this species for the first time, including the six previously undescribed compounds kaempferol 3-O-(2’’-O-(2’’’-α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranoside, quercetin 3-O-(2’’-O-(2’’’-α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranoside, kaempferol 3-O-(2’’-O-(2’’’-α-rhamnopyranosyl-6’’’-O-(E)-caffeoyl-)-β-glucopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranoside, 3-methoxy-5-hydroxy-4-olide, 4-hydroxy-3-(3’-hydroxy-4’-(hydroxyethyl)-oxotetrafuranone-5-methyl tetrahydropyranone, and 4-O-(5-hydroxy-4-oxohexanoyl) osmundalactone. The molecular structures were determined by combining several 1D and 2D NMR experiments, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and HRMS. Determination of cytotoxicity against AML MOLM-13, H9c2, and NRK cell lines showed that two isolated lactones exhibited significant cytotoxic activity.

In this study, we determined the chloroplast genome sequence of the Austral king fern, Todea barbara (L.) Moore. The plastome of T. barbara is a typical circular form composed of 144,208 bp with two inverted repeats (IRs; 10,442 bp), a large single copy (LSC; 101,059 bp), and a small single copy (SSC; 22,265 bp). The complete sequence comprises 131 genes, namely 85 protein-coding genes, eight ribosomal RNAs, and 38 transfer RNAs. The guanine–cytosine (GC) content of the genome was found to be 39.9%. Additionally, U-to-C RNA editing sites were identified in eight genes: atpE, chlB, clpP, matK, rpl20, rpoB, rpoC1, and rpoC2. Phylogenetic analysis using 85 coding gene sequences revealed that the genera Todea and Osmunda form a clade and that the genus Osmundastrum is a sister genus to both.

Premise: An anatomically preserved fossil fern sporeling has been discovered in a Lower Cretaceous marine concretion from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, providing an opportunity to characterize rhizome growth from an extinct species. Methods: The specimen was studied from serial transverse sections prepared by the cellulose acetate peel technique. Results: The rhizome ranges from ~0.7 to 1.1 mm in diameter, has a sclerenchymatous pith, a stele that attains a dictyoxylic architecture, and sclerenchymatous outer cortex, features that are characteristic of osmundaceous rhizomes. Cauline xylem forms a medullated protostele or solenostele at some levels, but is dissected into discrete xylem bundles at others. Fronds diverge in a helical phyllotaxis, range up to 1.1 mm in greatest dimension, and have a C‐shaped trace and outer cortex of sclerotic cells. Inside the sclerenchyma of the petioles are two lateral sclerotic strands and a sclerotic bundle adaxial to the trace. Together, these characters reveal the occurrence of a new species, Todea minutacaulis and provide evidence for developmental changes that occur in the rhizome as the sporeling increased in size. Conclusions: Small size of the specimen, medullated protostelic‐dictyoxylic solenostelar vascular architecture, and incompletely sclerified cells apically reveal that osmundaceous sporeling development has remained constant since at least the Early Cretaceous. Together with Todea tidwellii and Osmunda vancouverensis that also are present in the Apple Bay flora, this sporeling documents the occurrence of a multispecies assemblage of osmundaceous ferns and demonstrates that the genus Todea was diversifying rapidly by the Early Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we determined the chloroplast genome sequence of the Austral king fern, Todea barbara (L.) Moore. The plastome of T. barbara is a typical circular form composed of 144,208 bp with two inverted repeats (IRs; 10,442 bp), a large single copy (LSC; 101,059 bp), and a small single copy (SSC; 22,265 bp). The complete sequence comprises 131 genes, namely 85 protein-coding genes, eight ribosomal RNAs, and 38 transfer RNAs. The guanine–cytosine (GC) content of the genome was found to be 39.9%. Additionally, U-to-C RNA editing sites were identified in eight genes: atpE, chlB, clpP, matK, rpl20, rpoB, rpoC1, and rpoC2. Phylogenetic analysis using 85 coding gene sequences revealed that the genera Todea and Osmunda form a clade and that the genus Osmundastrum is a sister genus to both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Osmundopsis Harris is described based on several impression-compression fossils from the upper section of the Potrerillos Formation (Uspallata Group) at Cerro Cacheuta Hill, Mendoza Province, Argentina. Osmundopsis zunigai sp. nov. is characterized by having fertile pinnae with a slender striate rachis, bearing widely separate, opposite to subopposite short falcate pinnules with an entire margin, rounded apex, and a partially reduced lamina. The pinnules bear sporangia loosely disposed in clusters of four or five on the abaxial side. The sporangia are wedge- to heart-shaped, shortly stalked, with cells of the apical region thickened, and have a vertical dehiscence slit. The spores are trilete and laevigate. This is the first record of Osmundopsis in the Triassic of Argentina. The mutual occurrence or co-preservation of Osmundopsis zunigai sp. nov. with sterile fronds of Cladophlebis kurtzi suggests the possibility that these species formed part of a dimorphic bipinnate frond. The diversity and geographic extent of fertile leaves of the Osmunda lineage in the early Late Triassic, with records in South Africa and Antarctica and now with this new taxon, support the idea of a moist mesothermal climatic belt in southern Gondwana.

A new species of the Osmundaceae, Plenasium xiei sp. nov., is herein described from the Cretaceous of Northeast China. The specimens examined here represent the earliest unequivocal record of the extant genus Plenasium in Eurasia based on fossil rhizomes. The rhizome consists of a central stem with a mantle of petiole bases and adventitious roots. The stem contains an ectophloic‐dictyoxylic siphonostele and a two‐layered cortex. The C‐shaped leaf trace bears two protoxylem bundles at the point of separation from the stele. The pith is heterogeneous. The parenchymatous inner cortex is thinner than the sclerenchymatous outer cortex. Lobed sclerenchyma bands occur at the adaxial sides of the stem xylem strands, in the concavity of the leaf trace, and along the adaxial side of the vascular bundles of the petiole base. In distal petiole portions, the sclerenchyma band splits into several groups in the transverse view. Sclerenchyma rings are heterogeneous with an abaxial sclerenchymatous arc of thick‐walled fibers. Numerous sclerenchyma strands of thick‐walled fibers appear in the petiolar inner cortex and the stipular wing. These fossils provide unambiguous evidence for the existence of subgenus Plenasium of modern Plenasium by at least the Late Cretaceous, demonstrating the longevity of this extant subgenus. Altogether the leaf and rhizome fossil records of Plenasium indicate that this genus was widely distributed across North America and Eurasia from the Early Cretaceous to the Early Cenozoic, followed by a range restriction to Eurasia in the Late Cenozoic. Extant Plenasium species are only known from East and Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fossil trunks and rhizomes of Osmundaceae provide important information about its evolutionary history. Due to limited records of the Mesozoic trunks and rhizomes in the Eurasia of the Northern Hemisphere, our understanding on the fossil diversity of the Osmundaceae is hindered. Two new species of the Osmundaceae trunks, Osmundacaulis asiatica sp. nov. and Osmundacaulis sinica sp. nov. representing the first discovery of the Mesozoic tree fern genus Osmundacaulis in Eurasia, are described from Wudalianchi and Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China, which enriches the plant diversity of the Osmundaceae in the Eurasia, and provides vital evidence for studying the distribution, radiation and evolution of the genus during the Cretaceous. The fossil records suggest that Osmundacaulis species may have evolved from a common ancestor, which first appeared in the Australian portion of Pangaea, and then spread to ancient northern North America and ancient East Asia. Since then, they developed into different species through their own evolutionary lines. The Chinese species have a special local feature that the outer cortex is thicker than the inner cortex, in contrast with reported Osmundacaulis species having thinner outer cortex and thicker inner cortex. Long-term geographic isolation may have led to the radiation of diverse Osmundacaulis species and the appearance of region-specific features, such as the thick outer cortex and the thin inner cortex of the Chinese species. Among all reported Osmundacaulis species, the two new species found in China, O. nerii from the Jurassic of Australia and the O. lemonii from the Jurassic of the USA, have special groups of mucilage-sacs inside sclerenchyma ring of petiole base. Mucilage sacs probably originated independently among taxonomic groups, representing convergent adaptations to similar habitats, rather than indicating genetic inheritance from a common ancestor. Image 1 • New Mesozoic species represent the first discovery of Osmunacaulis in Eurasia. • The diversity of the Osmundaceae in Eurasia greater than previously supposed. • Osmundacaulis species in the Northern Hemisphere evolved from Australia. • The mucilage sacs of Osmundacaulis developed in response to specific environmental pressures. • Long-term geographic isolation led to the appearance of diverse Osmundacaulis species and region-specific features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. In extant ecosystems, complex networks of ecological interactions between organisms can be readily studied. In contrast, understanding of such interactions in ecosystems of the geologic past is incomplete. Specifically, in past terrestrial ecosystems we know comparatively little about plant biotic interactions besides saprotrophy, herbivory, mycorrhizal associations, and oviposition. Due to taphonomic biases, epiphyte communities are particularly rare in the plant-fossil record, despite their prominence in modern ecosystems. Accordingly, little is known about how terrestrial epiphyte communities have changed across geologic time. Here, we describe a tiny in situ fossil epiphyte community that sheds light on plant-animal and plant-plant interactions more than 50 million years ago. Methods. A single silicified Todea (Osmundaceae) rhizome from a new locality of the early Eocene (ca. 52 Ma) Tufolitas Laguna del Hunco (Patagonia, Argentina) was studied in serial thin sections using light microscopy. The community of organisms colonizing the tissues of the rhizome was characterized by identifying the organisms and mapping and quantifying their distribution. A 200 X 200 mm grid was superimposed onto the rhizome cross section, and the colonizers present at each node of the grid were tallied. Results. Preserved in situ, this community offers a rare window onto aspects of ancient ecosystems usually lost to time and taphonomic processes. The community is surprisingly diverse and includes the first fossilized leafy liverworts in South America, also marking the only fossil record of leafy bryophyte epiphytes outside of amber deposits; as well as several types of fungal hyphae and spores; microsclerotia with possible affinities in several ascomycete families; and evidence for oribatid mites. Discussion. The community associated with the Patagonian rhizome enriches our understanding of terrestrial epiphyte communities in the distant past and adds to a growing body of literature on osmundaceous rhizomes as important hosts for component communities in ancient ecosystems, just as they are today. Because osmundaceous rhizomes represent an ecological niche that has remained virtually unchanged over time and space and are abundant in the fossil record, they provide a paleoecological model system that could be used to explore epiphyte community structure through time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the second part of the series dealing with the flora of the Grojec clays (Poland, Middle Jurassic), macroremains of Osmundales are introduced. The re-examined and supplemented material originates from three collections: specimens collected and described in Polish by Raciborski in 1894; specimens preliminarily described by Stur (1888), housed at the Geological Survey of Austria; and Raciborski’s still-unpublished material stored at the Institute of Botany of the Jagiellonian University. So far, 15 taxa of Cladophlebis have been described from the Osmundales of Grojec clays, and two species of Todites (Todea) and Osmundopsis (Osmunda) sturii. Detailed observations indicate that a large part of the material (12 taxa described by Raciborski) should be assigned to three widespread Jurassic species: Cladophlebis denticulata, C. haiburnensis, and C. roessertii. Cladophlebis aurita and C. bartonecii, created by Raciborski, should be retained. The occurrence of sterile and fertile fronds of Todites williamsonii (originally described as Todea williamsonis, Cladophlebis whitbiensis, and Cladophlebis solida) is confirmed for Grojec. Two species described by Raciborski (1894) required a change of generic names - Osmundopsis (Osmunda) sturii and Todites (Todea) princeps. This paper provides the taxonomical descriptions and considers the palaeoecology of 5 Cladophlebis species (C. aurita, C. denticulata, C. haiburnensis, C. roessertii, C. bartonecii) and other osmundaceous ferns such as Osmundopsis sturii, Todites williamsonii, and T. princeps.

Umkomasiaceans are the most commonly recorded components of Gondwanan Triassic floras but they are not represented subsequently in that region. Their diversity appears to have substantially declined prior to the Rhaetian. Lower and Middle Jurassic floras in Australia and elsewhere in Gondwana are strikingly different from those of the Triassic, comprising ferns, lycopods, conifers, cycads, and bennettitaleans. The fern Cladophlebis Brongniart 1849 emend. Seward 1894 dominated coal-forming paludal environments during the Middle Jurassic in Queensland and it is one of the most commonly preserved plants in the Eastern Gondwanan Jurassic. Ginkgoaleans were present in Eastern Gondwana until near the end-Triassic but were absent below ca 60°S palaeolatitude during the Early and Middle Jurassic.

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The Osmundaceae family is the sister group to all other extant leptosporangiate ferns. Its rich fossil record has enabled detailed reconstructions of the evolutionary history of the group. Fossil evidence for today's Southern Hemisphere subtribe Todeinae, however, has been difficult to accumulate, with only two unambiguous fossil occurrences of modern Todea. Here, we describe a silicified Todea stem from the Eocene Laguna del Hunco lagerstätte of Patagonia. The stem contains a heterogeneous outer cortex with distinct fibrous rings surrounding the leaf traces, indicative of subtribe Todeinae; nests of thick-walled fibres associated with departing leaf traces together with the sclerenchymatous pith and with abundant sclerenchyma fibres in the inner stipe cortex enable assignment to Todea. The stem differs from T. tidwellii—the only other known fossil Todea stem described thus far—mainly in lacking sclerenchyma lining the adaxial concavity of the stipe bundle. Co-occurrence with sterile foliage fragments indicates that the stem may belong to Todea amissa, a species that was initially described based on frond compressions from the same deposits. Our finding corroborates the widely disjunct Gondwanan distribution of Todea across the Southern Hemisphere in the past, and provides an impetus to re-assess genetic divergence between the relictual African and Australasian populations of Todea barbara today in order to resolve the evolutionary history of the group more clearly. Finally, this first report of structurally preserved plant remains from Laguna del Hunco highlights the thus far untapped potential for anatomical preservation in this important fossil lagerstätte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New species of osmundaceous ferns, Osmundastrum gvozdevae sp. nov., is established on the basis of small coalified stems with preserved cellular structure, originated from the Upper Bathonian deposits of the Mikhailovskii Rudnik locality (Kursk Region, European Russia). Vascular tissues of the stem are represented by ectophloic dictyoxylic siphonostele; pith homogenous, comprising prosenchymatous cells only. Xylem of the leaf trace is endarch, with protoxylem strand, bifurcating when passes through the external part of an outer cortex. Leaf bases with stipular wings; their vascular bundles are horseshoe-shaped, with two sclerenchyma masses on the side of adaxial concavity. Sclerenchyma rings in the leaf bases are heterogeneous, thick-walled fibers form distinct abaxial arch and two lateral masses. The new species is provisionally assigned to the extant genus Osmundastrum C. Presl on the basis of the stem anatomical peculiarities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigate the molecular structural characteristics of organic remains in various cellular organelles from a 180 Ma Jurassic royal fern belonging to the Osmundaceae family of ferns, and compare their carbon isotopic compositions to a now-living species of royal fern (Osmunda regalis). We discovered molecular structural variations indicated by Raman and infrared spectral parameters obtained from various fossilized cellular organelles. The organic remains preserved in the chromosomes and cell nuclei show marked structural heterogeneities compared to the cell walls during different stages of the cell cycle. The fossil and extant fern have similar d13C values obtained from bulk samples, supporting evolutionary stasis in this plant lineage and an unchanged metabolic pathway of carbon assimilation since the Jurassic. The organic remains in the cellular organelles of the fossil seem to be less heterogeneous than those in the extant fern, likely due to the preferential preservation of certain cellular compounds during fossilization. Taphonomic processes appear to have diminished the subcellular isotopic heterogeneities. Our research sheds light on the functioning of ancient plant cellular organelles during mitosis, provides insights to the taphonomic processes operating at molecular and isotopic levels, and shows the practicability of in situ techniques in studying the evolution and behaviors of ancient cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Osmundopsis Harris is described based on several impression-compression fossils from the upper section of the Potrerillos Formation (Uspallata Group) at Cerro Cacheuta Hill, Mendoza Province, Argentina. Osmundopsis zunigai sp. nov. is characterized by having fertile pinnae with a slender striate rachis, bearing widely separate, opposite to subopposite short falcate pinnules with an entire margin, rounded apex, and a partially reduced lamina. The pinnules bear sporangia loosely disposed in clusters of four or five on the abaxial side. The sporangia are wedge- to heart-shaped, shortly stalked, with cells of the apical region thickened, and have a vertical dehiscence slit. The spores are trilete and laevigate. This is the first record of Osmundopsis in the Triassic of Argentina. The mutual occurrence or co-preservation of Osmundopsis zunigai sp. nov. with sterile fronds of Cladophlebis kurtzi suggests the possibility that these species formed part of a dimorphic bipinnate frond. The diversity and geographic extent of fertile leaves of the Osmunda lineage in the early Late Triassic, with records in South Africa and Antarctica and now with this new taxon, support the idea of a moist mesothermal climatic belt in southern Gondwana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osmunda japonica Thunb is an important source of edible plants in China and is also an important export earner. In order to study the effect of ultrafine grinding methods on Osmunda japonica Thunb's physical properties, main component contents and retention of active substances, planetary ball milling method and high-pressure homogenization method were used to ultrafine grinding. Ball mill material tank was added with the conventionally crushed Osmunda japonica Thunb sample of 10 g and corundum ball with mass of 100 g and diameter of 9 mm; ratio of ball mass to material mass was 10: 1, and rotation speed was 500 r/min. Crushing time was 1 h, and the resulting Osmunda japonica Thunb powder passed through 200-mesh sieve and then was placed in the dryer for spare. For the treatment of high-pressure homogenization, 16 g powder was accurately weighed after conventional treatment, and water was added to make the mass concentration lower; after colloid mill processed 10 min, and material circulation of Osmunda japonica Thunb was conducted 13 times, the high-pressure homogenization was performed. The homogenization pressure was 25 MPa and the time was 15 min. The inlet temperature of spray drying was 190 ℃, the outlet air temperature was 80 ℃, the feeding rate was 12.5 mL/min and the feeding temperature was 60 ℃. The superfine grinding powder's particle size, angle of repose, powder expansive force, holding water and oil force, and other physical properties were analyzed, and the total protein, crude fat, polysaccharides, total flavonoids, total polyphenols and other major components were detected. The hypoglycemic activity of 2 kinds of Osmunda japonica Thunb superfine powder was preliminarily investigated according to the inhibition ability of the extract of Osmunda japonica Thunb to α-glucosidase and α-amylase. The results showed that due to the treatment of planetary ball milling method and high-pressure homogenization, the particle size of the powder decreased by 48 and 65 times, respectively. Scanning electron micrograph observation of the ultrastructure of Osmunda japonica Thunb after ultrafine pulverization revealed that most of the fiber structure was destroyed, the particle size was more uniform, the specific surface area of the powder increased, and the angle of repose was slightly larger than that of the conventional powder. Osmunda's power expansive force decreased significantly, and water solubility increased, indicating that after ultrafine pulverization, long chain cellulose significantly reduced and short chain increased, resulting in the lower bound force on water and the decreased powder expansive force. And this change in physical properties is conducive to the exposure of water-soluble components and they are easier to be fully dissolved, and high-pressure homogenization in the higher temperature makes the powder group more exposed to improve the water solubility. The change of physical properties of the superfine pulverized Osmunda japonica Thunb powder helps to improve the processing properties of the Osmunda foods and produce the high value-added products. The main component contents from high to low were high-pressure homogenization crushing > planetary ball milling > conventional crushing. The inhibition ability to α-glucosidase and α-amylase from high to low was high-pressure homogenization crushing > planetary ball milling > conventional crushing. The above results show that both methods of ultrafine grinding have an effect on improving the physical properties of the powder, and the fiber tissue of the Osmunda powder is destructed more completely by the high-pressure homogenization, and main components are easier to be eluted. The micropowder treatment promotes the hypoglycemic physiological function of the powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structurally preserved fossil ferns are extremely significant for exploring the origin and evolution of this plant clade; however, they are quite scarce and limited in the Mesozoic. Here, we report some well-preserved fern rhizomes and rachides with anatomical details from the Upper Jurassic Manketouebo Formation in Inner Mongolia, NE China. Two taxa, including Ashicaulis liaoningensis (Zhang et Zheng) Tidwell referred to Osmundaceae and Gleicheniorachis sinensis sp. nov. referred to Gleicheniaceae, are recognized. Anatomically, Ashicaulis liaoningensis consists of a heterogeneous pith, an ectophloic dictyoxylic siphonostele, a twolayered cortex, C-shaped leaf traces, and a mantle of petiole bases. The petiole base is characterized by a heterogeneous sclerotic ring with an abaxial thick-walled fiber arc. Gleicheniorachis sinensis sp. nov. consists of a C-shaped vascular bundle with two incurved adaxial hooks, a distinct sclerenchyma sheath, an endodermis, and a heterogeneous cortex. In particular, the finding of Gleicheniorachis sinensis sp. nov. represents the first report of unequivocal Jurassic record of Gleicheniaceae in northern China, as well as the first record of a Jurassic permineralized gleicheniaceous fern in the Northern Hemisphere. This study provides new data and evidence for exploring the anatomical diversity and evolution of Mesozoic ferns, and contributes to further understanding the floral composition of Late Jurassic flora in Northeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Georg Eberhard Rumphius (1627-1702), author of the monumental work Herbarium Amboinense (1741-1755) is seen as the undisputed patriarch of Malesian Natural Sciences. Until recently, it was thought that if Rumphius had collected any specimens, they all had been lost. The recent digitisation and revision of two book herbaria in Leiden collected by Paul Hermann (1646-1695) on Ceylon revealed four specimens with reference to either Rumphius or Ambon in Hermann's handwriting: Colocasia esculenta, Gomphrena globosa, Helminthostachys zeylanica and Biophytum sensitivum, of which the latter does not occur in Sri Lanka. Here we discuss the description of these species in both published and unpublished historic works and consider the possibility that they may represent the only extant herbarium material attributable to Rumphius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Eocene, a mixed paleoflora containing austral-gondwanan and neotropical elements was established in northern Patagonia. Fossils preserving these assemblages have been recovered from the Huitrera Formation, at well-known localities as Laguna del Hunco, Pichileufu, Confluencia, Pampa de Jones and Arroyo Chacay, and show a diverse assemblage of angiosperms and conifers. The pteridophytic element, while present, is less known for these fossil floras. In this contribution, seven fern taxa based on fertile and sterile leaf compressions are described from the Huitrera Formation in the Arroyo Chacay locality. Several fern families are identified, as Osmundaceae (cf. Osmunda and Todea amissa M. Carvalho), a putative Thyrsopteridaceae ("Dicksonia" patagonica Berry), Blechnaceae (cf. Parablechnum), and Aspleniaceae (cf. Asplenium). Additionally, a taxon of unknown affinities, referred to the fossil genus Cladophlebis , is also recorded. These elements add to the total known diversity of ferns in the locality, previously represented by the Eupolypod Tapelrayen helgae M.A.Machado, E.I.Vera, Passalia et Ponce and Eupolypod incertae sedis, and the thelypteridaceous Cyclosorus sp. cf. C. interruptus. It is worth mentioning that two of the recorded taxa, T. amissa and " Dicksonia" patagonica , have been previously identified in the Huitrera Formation at other localities (Laguna del Hunco and Pichileufu, respectively), while the remaining identified taxa are new for the unit. Using the nearest living relative approach to infer ecological requirements of the recovered fossil ferns and evaluate climatic conditions supports a temperate to warm and humid regime in northern Patagonia during the Eocene, as previously postulated. • Ferns preserved as sterile and fertile compressions are described. • Fossils were collected from the Eocene Huitrera Fm (north-western Patagonia). • Osmundaceae, Thyrsopteridaceae, Blechnaceae and Aspleniaceae are recognized. • The second record for Todea amissa M. Carvalho is described. • Climatic conditions are proposed based on ecological requirements of nearest living taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Osmundales (Royal Fern order) originated in the late Paleozoic and is the most ancient surviving lineage of leptosporangiate ferns. In contrast to its low diversity today (less than 20 species in six genera), it has the richest fossil record of any extant group of ferns. The structurally preserved trunks and rhizomes alone are referable to more than 100 fossil species that are classified in up to 20 genera, four subfamilies, and two families. This diverse fossil record constitutes an exceptional source of information on the evolutionary history of the group from the Permian to the present. However, inconsistent terminology, varying formats of description, and the general lack of a uniform taxonomic concept renders this wealth of information poorly accessible. To this end, we provide a comprehensive review of the diversity of structural features of osmundalean axes under a standardized, descriptive terminology. A novel morphological character matrix with 45 anatomical characters scored for 15 extant species and for 114 fossil operational units (species or specimens) is analysed using networks in order to establish systematic relationships among fossil and extant Osmundales rooted in axis anatomy. The results lead us to propose an evolutionary classification for fossil Osmundales and a revised, standardized taxonomy for all taxa down to the rank of (sub)genus. We introduce several nomenclatural novelties: (1) a new subfamily Itopsidemoideae (Guaireaceae) is established to contain Itopsidema, Donwelliacaulis, and Tiania; (2) the thamnopteroid genera Zalesskya, Iegosigopteris, and Petcheropteris are all considered synonymous with Thamnopteris; (3) 12 species of Millerocaulis and Ashicaulis are assigned to modern genera (tribe Osmundeae); (4) the hitherto enigmatic Aurealcaulis is identified as an extinct subgenus of Plenasium; and (5) the poorly known Osmundites tuhajkulensis is assigned to Millerocaulis. In addition, we consider Millerocaulis stipabonettiorum a possible member of Palaeosmunda and Millerocaulis estipularis as probably constituting the earliest representative of the (Todea-)Leptopteris lineage (subtribe Todeinae) of modern Osmundoideae.

For the first time the plants that gave rise to the Early Cretaceous coals of Transbaikalia (Khilok, Chita-Ingoda, Bukachacha, and Turga-Kharanor basins), Amur River region (Bureya Basin), and Primorye region (Razdolnaya River and Partizansk River basins) have been obtained. The plants that produced coals mainly belong to the ginkgoaleans ( Pseudotorellia, Sphenobaiera, and Baierella), bennettites, and conifers having pinaceous, taxodiaceous, araucariaceous affinity, as well as extinct cheirolepidiaceous and miroviaceous plants. A parallel palynological study has identified a number of the same elements in addition to the cyatheaceous, gleicheniaceous, osmundaceous, and schizaeaceous ferns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we determined the chloroplast genome sequence of the Austral king fern, Todea barbara (L.) Moore. The plastome of T. barbara is a typical circular form composed of 144,208 bp with two inverted repeats (IRs; 10,442 bp), a large single copy (LSC; 101,059 bp), and a small single copy (SSC; 22,265 bp). The complete sequence comprises 131 genes, namely 85 protein-coding genes, eight ribosomal RNAs, and 38 transfer RNAs. The guanine-cytosine (GC) content of the genome was found to be 39.9%. Additionally, U-to-C RNA editing sites were identified in eight genes: atpE , chlB , clpP , matK , rpl20 , rpoB , rpoC1 , and rpoC2 . Phylogenetic analysis using 85 coding gene sequences revealed that the genera Todea and Osmunda form a clade and that the genus Osmundastrum is a sister genus to both., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

A remarkably well permineralized osmundaceous rhizome from the Early Jurassic of southern Sweden yields evidence of an array of interactions with other organisms in its immediate environment. These include epiphytism by a herbaceous heterosporous lycopsid; putative oribatid mite herbivory and detritivory (petiole and detritus borings and coprolites); potential pathogenic, saprotrophic or mycorrhizal interactions between fungi and the host plant and its epiphytes; parasitism or saprotrophy by putative peronosporomycetes; and opportunistic or passive mycophagy by oribatid mites evidenced by fungal spores in coprolites. A combination of abrupt burial by lahar deposits and exceedingly rapid permineralization by precipitation of calcite from hydrothermal brines facilitated the exquisite preservation of the rhizome and its component community of epiphytes, herbivores, saprotrophs and parasites. Ancient ferns with a rhizome cloaked by a thick mantle of persistent leaf bases and adventitious roots have a high potential for preserving macro-epiphytes and associated micro-organisms, and are especially promising targets for understanding the evolution of biotic interactions in forest understorey ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new petrified stem of Millerocaulis Erasmus ex Tidwell emend. Vera, collected in the Aptian Cerro Negro Formation outcrops of Livingston Island (Antarctica), is described in detail. This specimen is probably conspecific with Millerocaulis australis (Vera), from the same unit, but it is smaller than the holotype and only known specimen of the latter species. Furthermore, differences between several characteristics of both specimens are observed. A discussion based on biological aspects of this group of plants is given, taking into account the ontogenetic variability. A conservative referral of the new specimen to M. australis is preferred over the proposal of a new morphotaxon for the inclusion of the new materials.Se describe en detalle un nuevo estípite petrificado de Millerocaulis Erasmus ex Tidwell emend. Vera, colectado en afloramientos de edad aptiana de la Formación Cerro Negro en Isla Livingston (Antártida). Este espécimen es probablemente coespecífico con Millerocaulis australis (Vera), procedente de la misma unidad, pero es mas pequeño que el holotipo (y único ejemplar conocido) de dicha especie. Además, existen diferencias entre ambos especímenes. Se brinda una discusión basada en aspectos biológicos de este grupo de plantas, teniendo en cuenta la variación ontogenética. Se opta por referir de manera conservativa el nuevo espécimen a M. australis, antes que proponer un nuevo morfotaxón para la inclusión de los nuevos materiales.

The fossilized birth-death (FBD)model can make use of information contained in multiple fossils representing the same clade, and we here apply this model to infer divergence times in beeches (genus Fagus), using 53 fossils and nuclear sequences for all nine species. We also apply FBD dating to the fern clade Osmundaceae, with about 12 living species and 36 fossils. Fagus nuclear sequences cannot be aligned with those of other Fagaceae, and we therefore use Bayes factors to choose among alternative root positions. The crown group of Fagus is dated to 53 (62-43) Ma; divergence of the sole American species to 44 (51-39)Ma and divergence between Central European F. sylvatica and Eastern Mediterranean F. orientalis to 8.7 (20-1.8) Ma, unexpectedly old. The FBD model can accommodate fossils as sampled ancestors or as extinct or unobserved lineages; however, this makes its raw output, which shows all fossils on short or long branches, problematic to interpret. We use handdrawn depictions and a bipartition network to illustrate the uncertain placements of fossils. Inferred speciation and extinction rates imply approximately 5 higher evolutionary turnover in Fagus than in Osmundaceae, fitting a hypothesized low turnover in plants adapted to low-nutrient conditions. This article is part of the themed issue 'Dating species divergences using rocks and clocks'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulations of Osmunda (Plenasium) lignitum (GIEBEL) STUR fern foliage have been recently recovered in the Oligocene deposits of northern Italy at Cassinelle and western Germany at Niederpleis-1 (Sankt Augustin; Winterscheid 2006). They morphologically match other European records distributed from the Eocene to the Oligocene (- early Miocene). Material from both sites represents sterile pinnae compressions with preserved leaf anatomy. The data obtained on leaf cuticles correspond to most of the previous findings from Germany (Geiseltal, Seifhennersdorf, Haselbach) but cast doubts on some others based on dispersed cuticles (e.g. Zülpich). Comparison with living species of Osmunda (Plenasium) from east and south-east Asia revealed only minor differences in the epidermal structure and stress the close relationship with Osmunda banksiifolia (C. PRESL) KUHN distributed along valley streams from China, Japan to Indonesia, New Guinea and Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of research. Osmunda regalis has a worldwide distribution, except for in eastern Asia, where Osmunda japonica and Osmunda lancea can be found instead. However, the present geographic separation does not necessarily mean geographical speciation. Molecular data indicated that American O. regalis is sister to O. japonica and O. lancea rather than to European O. regalis, but the relationship between the distribution and phylogeny remained unclear. An analysis of vegetative pinnule fossils, which were abundant in the Cenozoic time, would help elucidate the historical biogeography and evolution of these species if the taxonomy of the fossils would be clarified. Methodology. We measured interveinlet intervals in mature and juvenile plants of the extant species and fossils from Japan and the rest of the world, as well as the size of their pinnules, and compared them through geological time and during ontogeny. Pivotal results. The interveinlet interval differs between O. regalis and O. japonica, and part of the Cenozoic fossils, mostly from Japan, could be classified as belonging to these two species. The venation of the O. japonica mature plants was more similar to that of juvenile plants of the same species than was the case with O. regalis, possibly due to a paedomorphic interval in O. japonica. Conclusions. Osmunda regalis or its ancestor had been present in eastern Asia since the Middle Eocene, while O. japonica was derived in the Miocene, possibly from O. regalis. The past sympatry of the two species may have been facilitated by ecological isolation before geographical separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The classification of royal ferns (Osmundaceae) has long remained controversial. Recent molecular phylogenies indicate that Osmunda is paraphyletic and needs to be separated into Osmundastrum and Osmunda s.str. Here, however, we describe an exquisitely preserved Jurassic Osmunda rhizome (O. pulchella sp. nov.) that combines diagnostic features of both Osmundastrum and Osmunda, calling molecular evidence for paraphyly into question. We assembled a new morphological matrix based on rhizome anatomy, and used network analyses to establish phylogenetic relationships between fossil and extant members of modern Osmundaceae. We re-analysed the original molecular data to evaluate root-placement support. Finally, we integrated morphological and molecular data-sets using the evolutionary placement algorithm. Results: Osmunda pulchella and five additional Jurassic rhizome species show anatomical character suites intermediate between Osmundastrum and Osmunda. Molecular evidence for paraphyly is ambiguous: a previously unrecognized signal from spacer sequences favours an alternative root placement that would resolve Osmunda s.l. as monophyletic. Our evolutionary placement analysis identifies fossil species as probable ancestral members of modern genera and subgenera, which accords with recent evidence from Bayesian dating. Conclusions: Osmunda pulchella is likely a precursor of the Osmundastrum lineage. The recently proposed root placement in Osmundaceae—based solely on molecular data—stems from possibly misinformative outgroup signals in rbcL and atpA genes. We conclude that the seemingly conflicting evidence from morphological, anatomical, molecular, and palaeontological data can instead be elegantly reconciled under the assumption that Osmunda is indeed monophyletic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osmunda japonica Thunb., a medicinal plant newly recorded in the Chinese pharmacopoeia, has been used for centuries for treatment of viral influenza, dysentery, and bleeding. Although O. japonica and its adulterants have different medicinal effects and clinical applications, it is difficult to differentiate O. japonica from its adulterants used in medicine. To distinguish O. japonica from its adulterants, two chloroplast barcodes ( psbA- trnH and rbcL) were tested for the first time. Genetic distance, genetic divergence, maximum likelihood tree, barcoding gap, and identification efficiency were calculated and analyzed for identification of O. japonica and its adulterants. The results showed the two barcodes could be used to identify O. japonica and its adulterants, and the performance of psbA- trnH was better in terms of amplification, sequencing, genetic divergence, and variation. The psbA- trnH region resulted in less overlap than rbcL, and greater interspecific divergence. On the basis of psbA- trnH sequences, a pair of primers was designed for specific identification of O. japonica. Our findings indicated that psbA- trnH was the optimum barcode, and rbcL could be as a complementary barcode for authenticating O. japonica and its adulterants, which was helpful for further clinical application of the materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

283I.283II.284III.284IV.287V.288288References288 Summary: Evolutionary divergence‐age estimates derived from molecular ‘clocks’ are frequently correlated with paleogeographic, paleoclimatic and extinction events. One prominent hypothesis based on molecular data states that the dominant pattern of Southern Hemisphere biogeography is post‐Gondwanan clade origins and subsequent dispersal across the oceans in a metaphoric ‘Green Web’. We tested this idea against well‐dated Patagonian fossils of 19 plant lineages, representing organisms that actually lived on Gondwana. Most of these occurrences are substantially older than their respective, often post‐Gondwanan molecular dates. The Green Web interpretation probably results from directional bias in molecular results. Gondwanan history remains fundamental to understanding Southern Hemisphere plant radiations, and we urge significantly greater caution when using molecular dating to interpret the biological impacts of geological events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented commenting on the genomes of royal ferns.

major concern in molecular clock dating is how to use information from the fossil record to calibrate genetic distances from DNA sequences. Here we apply three Bayesian dating methods that differ in how calibration is achieved-- "node dating" (ND) in BEAST, "total evidence" (TE) dating in MrBayes, and the "fossilizedbirth-death" (FBD) in FDPPDiv-- to infer divergence times in the royal ferns. Osmundaceae have 16-17 species in four genera, two mainly in the Northern Hemisphere and two in South Africa and Australasia; they are the sister clade to the remaining leptosporangiate ferns. Their fossil record consists of at least 150 species in ~17 genera. For ND, we used the five oldest fossils, whereas for TE and FBD dating, which do not require forcing fossils to nodes and thus can use more fossils, we included up to 36 rhizomes and frond compression/impression fossils, which for TE dating were scored for 33 morphological characters. We also subsampled 10%, 25%, and 50% of the 36 fossils to assess model sensitivity. FBD-derived divergence ages were generally greater than those inferred from ND; two of seven TE-derived ages agreed with FBD-obtained ages, the others were much younger or much older than ND or FBD ages. We prefer the FBD-derived ages because they best fit the Osmundales fossil record (including Triassic fossils not used in our study). Under the preferred model, the clade encompassing extant Osmundaceae (and many fossils) dates to the latest Paleozoic to Early Triassic; divergences of the extant species occurred during the Neogene. Under the assumption of constant speciation and extinction rates, the FBD approach yielded speciation and extinction rates that overlapped those obtained from just neontological data. However, FBD estimates of speciation and extinction are sensitive to violations in the assumption of continuous fossil sampling; therefore, these estimates should be treated with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of research. A distinctive new species of osmundaceous fern, based on a permineralized trunk from Lower Cretaceous deposits of Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands) off the west coast of mainland Canada, provides additional data for addressing the Mesozoic diversity and the overall pattern of phy-logeny for osmundaceous filicalean ferns. Methodology. The specimen was cut into segments and studied from both external morphology and anatomical sections prepared by the cellulose acetate peel technique. Microscope slides of sections were examined, and images were captured under transmitted light. Pivotal results. The fossil represents a new species of Osmundacaulis, which is only the third Northern Hemisphere representative of this predominantly Southern Hemisphere genus. Conclusions. Osmundacaulis whittlesii sp. nov. increases the Northern Hemisphere diversity of Cretaceous Osmundaceae, thus providing new data about Mesozoic diversity of the clade, potential sister-group relationships of crown-group Osmundaceae, and the overall pattern of phylogeny for Osmundaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The royal fern (Osmunda regalis L.) is a threatened species, which reaches the northeastern border of its natural range in Poland. The number of royal fern stands is decreasing due to decline of its natural habitat - alder carrs. The main aim of this paper was to compare features of stands in habitats representing different levels of anthropogenic transformation and to investigate all stands of the royal fern in the 'Baszków' nature reserve (3.76 ha; Krotoszyn Forest District, Poland). We distinguished four plant communities within the nature reserve: Carici elongatae-Alnetum, Molinio-Pinetum, Leucobryo-Pinetum and Pinus-Padus. In total, we found 144 royal fern specimens within the nature reserve area growing in 20 stands: 97 specimens in Carici-Alnetum (9 stands), 32 specimens in Molinio-Pinetum (4 stands) and 15 specimens along a drainage ditch (7 stands). Specimens from Carici-Alnetum had the highest proportion of sporophylles (41%), which shows the habitat preferences of the royal fern. Low proportion of sporophylles and the low number of specimens in the stands in ditches prove lower vitality of royal ferns and possibility of local extirpation in these stands. Royal fern populations in secondary habitats such as ditches and borders of forest divisions should be particularly monitored. Passive royal fern protection in the nature reserve gave positive results due to better availability of light, connected with mortality of some trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to effectively preserve green spores, which have relatively higher water content and lose viability more quickly than non-green spores, we studied the effect of desiccation level and storage temperature on Osmunda japonica spores. The water content of fresh spores was 11.20%. After 12h desiccation by silica gel, the water content decreased to 6% but spore viability did not change significantly. As the desiccation continued, the decrease in water content slowed, but spore viability dropped. For almost all storage periods, the effects of storage temperature, desiccation level, and temperature×desiccation level were significantly different. After seven days of storage, spores at any desiccation level stored at 4°C obtained high germination rates. After more than seven days storage, liquid nitrogen (LN) storage obtained the best results. Storage at ?18°C led to the lowest germination rates. Spores stored at room temperature and ?18°C all died within three months. For storage at 4°C and in LN, spores desiccated 12 and 36h obtained better results. Spores without desiccation had the highest germination rates after being stored at room temperature, but suffered the greatest loss after storage at ?18°C. These results suggest that LN storage is the best method of long-term storage of O. japonica spores. The critical water content of O. japonica spores is about 6% and reduction of the water content to this level improves outcome after LN storage greatly. The reason for various responses of O. japonica spores to desiccation and storage temperatures are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permineralized osmundaceous rhizome with anatomical and phylogenetic information plays a significant role in understanding the origin, evolution, and diversity variation of the fern family Osmundaceae in geological history. The northern Hebei and western Liaoning region is one of the most important fossil localities for the Jurassic osmundaceous rhizome fossils in the Northern Hemisphere; however, the diversity character of osmundaceous rhizome fossil remains poorly known. A new structurally preserved fern rhizome species, Ashicaulis wangii sp. nov., is described from the Middle Jurassic Tiaojishan Formation in Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, northeastern China. The rhizome is composed of heterogeneous pith, an ectophloic-dictyoxylic siphonostele, a two-layered cortex, and a mantle of adventitious roots and petiole bases. The xylem cylinder, with complete leaf gaps, consists of 15-17 xylem strands. The petiole base is characterized by a heterogeneous sclerotic ring and numerous sclerenchyma masses in the petiolar cortex. Among five known Ashicaulis species with heterogeneous sclerotic ring, four of them are documented from China. Therefore, osmundaceous rhizome fossils from China show endemic anatomical characteristics and significances for palaeobiogeography. Comparisons of anatomical features suggest that A. wangii sp. nov. bears close similarities to Osmunda pluma Miller from the Paleocene of Dakota, USA. Fossil species of A. wangii provides new evidence for further understanding the species diversity of osmundaceous rhizome fossil in China and in the Northern Hemisphere, and contributes to exploring the macroevolution process of the Mesozoic osmundaceous plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]