中国中生代的马通蕨科植物:化石记录、多样性与时空分布特征*

现生真蕨目马通蕨科(Matoniaceae)植物仅存Matonia和Phanerosorus两属, 集中分布于马来西亚、印度尼西亚等热带地区。马通蕨科植物在中生代时期全球广布, 且主要分布于热带、亚热带地区, 有近9个属, 被作为热带、亚热带气候的标志性植物化石之一。本文梳理总结了中国中生代的马通蕨科化石记录并分析其多样性特征, 共计有2属16种, 包括异脉蕨属(Phlebopteris) 15种和准马通蕨属(Matonidium) 1种。对其化石记录和地质地理分布分析表明, 晚三叠世时期, 异脉蕨属植物广泛分布于热带—亚热带湿热气候区, 包括华南一带的四川、湖北、 云南、西藏、福建等地; 早侏罗世时期, 其分布逐渐向北方扩展, 在南、北方植物区系界线附近均有发现; 中侏罗世局限于湖北、青海等地; 早白垩世时仅在黑龙江和西藏少量发现。准马通蕨属仅在黑龙江地区的早白垩世地层中发现。整体上, 马通蕨科在中国中生代的分布范围变迁与气候带范围变化相吻合。     

Early Cretaceous Gleicheniaceae and Matoniaceae (Gleicheniales) from Alexander Island,Antarctica

The first Cretaceous representatives of Matoniaceae and Gleicheniaceae in the Antarctic are described from the Albian flora of Alexander Island. Two new species are recognized, one is assigned to Matonia, and another to the emended gleicheniaceous form-genus Gleicheniaceaephyllum. The taxonomy of fossil genera assigned to Gleicheniaceae is problematic, and as an alternative to the invalid genus Gleichenites, we propose that Microphyllopteris be utilised as a form-genus for species that have either an unknown branching pattern or pseudo-dichotomous branching without resting buds; Microphyllopteris is reserved for ferns that cannot be ascribed conclusively to Gleicheniaceae. Alternatively, Gleicheniaceaephyllum should be used for gleicheniaceous material that has a resting bud amongst two to four primary branches. Gleicheniaceaephyllum acutum sp. nov. is preserved as sterile and fertile fronds, pinnae and pinnules. The other new species, Matonia jeffersonii sp. nov., occurs as sterile and fertile pinnae and pinnules, and is aligned to Matoniaceae based on the presence of circular-oval sori with peltate indusia. The two taxa are inferred to have either a pedate or scrambling habit. These morphologies are relatively common at Alexander Island, compared to other high latitude fossil floras, and are interpreted as an adaptation to the high disturbance, polar conditions and unusual photoperiod experienced at Alexander Island during the Early Cretaceous. The theory that angiosperms caused the demise of ferns is discussed in relation to the Matoniaceae and Gleicheniaceae, and there does not appear to be association between angiosperm expansion and the decline of these two fern families.     

INVESTIGATIONS OF ANGIOSPERMS FROM THE EOCENE OF NORTH AMERICA: STIPULATE LEAVES OF THE RUBIACEAE INCLUDING A PROBABLE POLYPLOID POPULATION

A comparative study was made of the gross morphology, fine venation and cuticular features of Leitneria fioridana Chapman, the single living representative of the order Leitneriales and Leitneria eocenica (Berry) Brown, presumbaly a related fossil species. In addition to the type material, newly collected fossil specimens were investigated from clay pits in the Middle Eocene, Claiborne Formation, of western Tennessee and Kentucky. Foliate stipules attached to the petioles of several specimens suggest the assignment of this fossil leaf type to the genus Leitneria is incorrect. The nature of the gross morphology, fine venation and cuticular features confirms the misidentification. Previously, various specimens of this fossil leaf type have been placed in eight species of seven genera in seven families of six angiosperm orders, none of which are correct systematically. The gross morphology, venation and cuticular characters of the fossil leaf are distributed among a few extant South American genera of arborescent Rubiaceae. The fossil is an extinct rubiaceous leaf type which cannot be placed within a single modern subfamily, tribe or genus of the family. The organ genus, Paleorubiaceophyllum is proposed for these leaves. Three varieties of a single fossil species, P. eocenicum, are recognized. One variety with epidermal cells nearly twice the size of the others may represent a polyploid population.     

Macrosiagon deuvei n. sp. (Coleoptera: Ripiphoridae) from the French Eocene amber

Macrosiagon deuvei n. sp., the second fossil representative of this extant genus of Ripiphoridae: Ripiphorinae: Macrosiagonini is described from the lowermost Eocene amber of Oise (France). The new species is compared with the extant species of the genus. Taxonomic position of other two fossil representatives of the family described from France by Perrichot et al. (2004) is discussed. The genus Paleoripiphorus Perrichot et al. 2004 is tentatively transferred from Ripiphorinae to Ripidiinae.     

INVESTIGATIONS OF ANGIOSPERMS FROM THE EOCENE OF SOUTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICA: PHILODENDRON LEAF REMAINS

Large leaves, new to the fossil record, from the Claiborne Formation in western Tennessee have been collected and analyzed. Careful analyses of venation and cuticular anatomy indicate that these fossil leaves contain specific characters found in modern species of the genus Philodendron subgenus Meconostigma. Features of venation were taxonomically more useful than other features. Reports of fossils of the Araceae are scarce and those few fossils assigned to the family frequently have been inadequately studied. This report establishes a reliable and carefully documented occurrence of the Araceae in the fossil record, and provides information concerning the differentiation of the family in time and the distributions of the genus Philodendron.     

Evolutionary divergence times in the Annonaceae: evidence of a late Miocene origin of Pseuduvaria in Sundaland with subsequent diversification in New Guinea

Background  

Phylogenetic analyses of the Annonaceae consistently identify four clades: a basal clade consisting of Anaxagorea, and a small 'ambavioid' clade that is sister to two main clades, the 'long branch clade' (LBC) and 'short branch clade' (SBC). Divergence times in the family have previously been estimated using non-parametric rate smoothing (NPRS) and penalized likelihood (PL). Here we use an uncorrelated lognormal (UCLD) relaxed molecular clock in BEAST to estimate diversification times of the main clades within the family with a focus on the Asian genus Pseuduvaria within the SBC. Two fossil calibration points are applied, including the first use of the recently discovered Annonaceae fossil Futabanthus. The taxonomy and morphology of Pseuduvaria have been well documented, although no previous dating or biogeographical studies have been undertaken. Ancestral areas at internal nodes within Pseuduvaria are determined using dispersal-vicariance analysis (DIVA) and weighted ancestral area analysis (WAAA).     

How diverse were ferns in the Baltic amber forest?

Diverse temperate forest types and a high atmospheric humidity have recently been suggested for the Eocene source area of Baltic amber. However, ferns are astonishingly rare as inclusions in this amber, which is in contrast to other seed‐free land plants, fungi, and lichens. Moreover, the identities of some of the few described putative fern taxa are dubious, and some fossils were even assigned to the Paleozoic seed fern genera Alethopteris, Pecopteris and to the form genus Sphenopteris containing Paleozoic and Mesozoic fern‐like leaf fossils. Here, we review previously described fern inclusions from Baltic amber and identify further fern‐like leaf inclusions as belonging to the extant angiosperm genus Comptonia (sweet ferns, Myricaceae). We conclude that only one taxon, Matonia striata (Matoniaceae), can with confidence be identified as a Polypodiopsida representative. Although “Pecopteris” humboldtiana is so far only known as sterile foliage, its leaf morphology strongly suggests that also this taxon belongs to the Polypodiopsida rather than to any other tracheophyte lineage. We propose accommodating “Pecopteris” humboldtiana in the new genus Berendtiopteris. “Alethopteris” serrata and “Sphenopteris” phyllocladoides are not to be regarded as evidence of ferns from Baltic amber. Reinvestigation of the holotypes of these two taxa did not reveal to which tracheophyte lineages these fossils belong. We suggest that the scarcity of fern remains from Baltic amber may reflect both a relatively low fern diversity in the source area of the fossil resin, and an absence or rarity of epiphytic and climbing ferns as observed in modern temperate forest ecosystems.     

A case of mistaken identification of an amber fossil male strepsipteran (Insecta: Strepsiptera)

A well-preserved specimen of amber Strepsiptera was erroneously described as Stylops neotropicallis Kogan and Poinar, 2010. The taxonomic position of the species was based on a count of six antennomeres (typical of the Stylopidae); however, further observations showed that there are actually seven antennomeres, which places the fossil in the family Myrmecolacidae, and it is herein redescribed in the genus Palaeomyrmecolax Kulicka, 2001. Furthermore, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis of a sample of the amber piece containing the fossil revealed that it was Baltic rather than Dominican amber as originally thought. The fossil was compared with another specimen from Baltic amber in the Poinar collection, which shows close affinity to Palaeomyrmecolax succineus Kulicka, 2001, the type species of the genus. Palaeomyrmecolax neotropicallis (n.comb.) differs from that specimen and seems to differ also from the other four species in the genus Palaeomyrmecolax.     

The recent and Paleogene craniid brachiopod,Valdiviathyris quenstedti Helmcke, 1940

Recent and fossil (mid‐Cenozoic) specimens of the brachiopod Valdiviathyris quenstedti Helmcke, 1940 are described from New Zealand. The unusual median processes of this genus are shown to be the attachment sites of the brachial protractor muscles. Valdiviathyris is compared with Ancistrocrania, Neoancistrocrania and Novocrania and is considered to be a valid separate genus in the family Craniidae.     

A STUDY OF LEAF COMPRESSIONS OF KNIGHTIOPHYLLUM FROM EOCENE DEPOSITS OF SOUTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICA

A study was made of the gross morphological characters and cuticular features of several fossil leaves of Knightiophyllum wilcoxianum Berry. These fossil leaves were collected from Eocene deposits exposed in three clay pits in western Tennessee. This investigation refutes the relationship of Knightiophyllum wilcoxianum to the modern genus Knightia and the family Proteaceae as suggested by E. W. Berry.     

A NEW SPECIES OF MARSILEA FROM THE DAKOTA FORMATION IN CENTRAL KANSAS

Discovery of compression/impression megafossil material from the Cenomanian (mid-Cretaceous) in Kansas documents the occurrence of the genus Marsilea during this age. Only vegetative material has been found as complete plants; associated structures that may be fertile structures could belong to the genus also. This new fossil species extends the megafossil record of the genus back to the mid-Cretaceous when previously only megaspores attributed to the family occurred during this time. The fossil record of the heterosporous aquatic fern families is reviewed with emphasis on the Marsileaceae.     

Fossil isopods associated with a fish skeleton from the Lower Cretaceous of Queensland,Australia – direct evidence of a scavenging lifestyle in Mesozoic Cymothoida

Abstract: A dense assemblage of fossil isopod crustaceans (Brunnaega tomhurleyi Wilson, sp. nov.) from the Lower Cretaceous (Albian) Toolebuc Formation of Queensland, Australia, has been found within the carcass of a large actinopterygian fish, Pachyrhizodus marathonensis (Etheridge). Preservation of fine anatomical details supports referral to the genus Brunnaega Polz, which is herein reassigned to the family Cirolanidae. Furthermore, placement of this taxon within the cirolanid subfamily Conilerinae Kensley and Schotte is significant because the group includes modern species that are well known as voracious scavengers. This isopod–fish association represents the oldest unequivocal evidence of scavenging by Mesozoic cymothoidean isopods on a large vertebrate carcass.     

PHYLOGENY OF THE DASYCLADALES (CHLOROPHYTA,ULVOPHYCEAE) BASED ON ANALYSES OF RUBISCO LARGE SUBUNIT (rbcL) GENE SEQUENCES1

The phylogeny of the green algal Order Dasycladales was inferred by maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses of chloroplast‐encoded rbcL sequence data. Bayesian analysis suggested that the tribe Acetabularieae is monophyletic but that some genera within the tribe, such as Acetabularia Lamouroux and Polyphysa Lamouroux, are not. Bayesian analysis placed Halicoryne Harvey as the sister group of the Acetabularieae, a result consistent with limited fossil evidence and monophyly of the family Acetabulariaceae but was not supported by significant posterior probability. Bayesian analysis further suggested that the family Dasycladaceae is a paraphyletic assemblage at the base of the Dasycladales radiation, casting doubt on the current family‐level classification. The genus Cymopolia Lamouroux was inferred to be the basal‐most dasycladalean genus, which is also consistent with limited fossil evidence. Unweighted parsimony analyses provided similar results but primarily differed by the sister relationship between Halicoryne Lamouroux and Bornetella Munier‐Chalmas, thus supporting the monophyly of neither the families Acetabulariaceae nor Dasycladaceae. This result, however, was supported by low bootstrap values. Low transition‐to‐transversion ratios, potential loss of phylogenetic signal in third codon positions, and the 550 million year old Dasycladalean lineage suggest that dasyclad rbcL sequences may be saturated due to deep time divergences. Such factors may have contributed to inaccurate reconstruction of phylogeny, particularly with respect to potential inconsistency of parsimony analyses. Regardless, strongly negative g₁ values were obtained in analyses including all codon positions, indicating the presence of considerable phylogenetic signal in dasyclad rbcL sequence data. Morphological features relevant to the separation of taxa within the Dasycladales and the possible effects of extinction on phylogeny reconstruction are discussed relative to the inferred phylogenies.     

Protoresinacarus brevipedis gen. n., sp. n. from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber: the first fossil record of mites of the Family Resinacaridae (Acari: Heterostigmata: Pyemotoidea)

A new genus and species of mites, Protoresinacarus brevipedis gen. n., sp. n. (Acari: Heterostigmata: Pyemotoidea), is described from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber. This represents the first fossil record of a member of the family Resinacaridae. It is represented by 21 phoretic females adjacent to an adult mantidfly (Neuroptera: Mantispidae). This is the first record of phoresy of pyemotid mites on members of the insect order Neuroptera. The fossil mites differ from extant members of the family in possessing distinctly shorter legs I, which do not reach beyond the apex of the gnathosoma, and by the long setae v ₁, v ₂ and c ₂.     

First fossil occurrence of the jewel damselflies (Odonata: Chlorocyphidae): a new species from the Late Miocene of Styria,Austria

The first fossil representative of the jewel damselflies (Calopterygoidea: Chlorocyphidae), a family of large, prominent, and often brilliantly colored Old World tropical Zygoptera, is described and figured. Chlorocypha cordasevae n. sp. was recovered from the Late Miocene (Early Pannonian, Serravalian to Tortonian, c.11 Ma) locality of Paldau, in the Styrian Basin, Austria. The fossil seems to be related to the African genus Chlorocypha Fraser, and within a larger group of African genera also including Stenocypha Dijkstra, Africocypha Pinhey, and Platycypha Fraser, and collectively set apart from southern Asiatic genera. The discovery of a central European species of Chlorocypha as recently as the Late Miocene reveals a much wider range to the family than its generally disjunctive modern distribution, demonstrating a Neogene contraction to their range, likely in connection with climatic cooling, drying, and developing seasonality. Modern chlorocyphids live under warm, humid climates, and the presence of C. cordasevae in the Pannonian fauna of Paldau further corroborates such a subtropical paleoclimate for the locality at that time.     

Diversity of Menispermaceae from the Paleocene and Eocene of South China

We present here the earliest known Asian fossil records of the Menispermaceae based on fossil fruits from Paleocene and Eocene localities in South China. A new genus and species, Paleoorbicarpum parvum sp. nov., and two new species of Stephania Loureiro, S. ornamenta sp. nov. and S. geniculata sp. nov., are recognized from Paleocene deposits of the Sanshui Basin, Guangdong, and a new occurrence of the widespread Eocene species Stephania auriformis (Hollick) Han & Manchester is recognized from the Maoming Basin, Guangdong. The Paleocene Stephania specimens described here represent the earliest fossil endocarp record of the Menispermaceae in eastern Asia. This discovery shows that the moonseed family had arrived in tropical and humid South China by at least the middle Paleocene, which provides important evidence for the origin and phytogeographic history of the family.     

A new genus and species of oribatid mite, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cretaceobodes martinezae</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov., from the lower cretaceous amber of San Just (Teruel Province,Spain) (Acariformes,Oribatida, Otocepheidae)

A new fossil genus and species of oribatid mite, Cretaceobodes martinezae gen. et sp. nov., belonging to the family Otocepheidae is described. The new species is preserved in a piece of amber from the San Just outcrop (Teruel Province, Spain), which is believed to be Albian in age. The new genus is compared with the extant genus Carabocepheus Berlese, 1910 and its relationships with the superfamilies Otocepheoidea and Carabodoidea are discussed. Carabocepheidae is regarded as a junior synonym of Otocepheidae. Ranking Carabocepheus lounsbury latior Balogh et Mahunka, 1966 as a separate species is proposed.     

Alavesia Waters and Arillo–a Cretaceous‐era genus discovered extant on the Brandberg Massif,Namibia (Diptera: Atelestidae)

Two new extant species of the fossil genus Alavesia Waters & Arillo (A. brandbergensis sp.n. and A. daura sp.n. ) are described from the Brandberg Massif, Namibia. The genus is reassigned to the family Atelestidae (subfamily Atelestinae) on the basis of male terminalia (elongate gonocoxal apodemes, ventral apodemes, subapical surstylus), female terminalia (absence of tergum 10) and a three‐articled stylus. This is the first record of Atelestidae from the Afrotropical Region. A genus‐level phylogeny of the Atelestidae is resolved, in which Alavesia is the sister genus to the remaining genera of the Atelestinae. The biogeographic history of the genus is briefly discussed, as is the significance of this and other relict Diptera on the Brandberg.