CUTICLES OF TWO SPECIES OF ALETHOPTERIS

Specimens of Alethopteris sullivanti (Lesquereux) Schimper and Alethopteris lesqueieuxi Wagner were found in Middle Pennsylvanian coal balls from the Lovilia, Iowa and West Mineral, Kansas localities. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to study macerated cuticles of these two foliage types of the pteridosperm, Medullosa. The lower epidermises of both species of Alethopteris possess sunken stomata, papillae, and evidence of multicellular hairs. The upper epidermises are devoid of these features. Critical point drying and subsequent observation with SEM were used to document the structure of the multicellular hairs of A. lesquereuxi. Replicas of the lower epidermal features of an impression-compression specimen of A. sullivanti were observed with SEM and compared with the petrified specimens.