A new species of Tatarina S. Meyen and the problem of differentiation between some Late Permian peltasperms on the basis of epidermal characters

A new species, Tatarina rinatata, is described from continental deposits near the village of Nedubrovo, Vologda Region, Russia, belonging to the base of the Vetlugian Series of the transitional Permian-Triassic aspect. Problems of differentiating between leaves of the genus Tatarina based on epidermal characters are discussed.     

A NEW SCIADOPITYACEOUS SEED CONE FROM THE UPPER CRETACEOUS OF HOKKAIDO,JAPAN

A sciadopityaceous seed cone, Sciadopityostrobus kerae, gen. et sp. nov., is described on the basis of a permineralized specimen from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian–Coniacian) of Hokkaido, Japan. The peel method was applied for anatomical observations. The seed cone consists of a cone axis receiving numerous cone scale complexes that are arranged helically. Each complex generally has five inverted ovules that are oriented adaxially. The cone is similar to those of living Sciadopitys verticillata with respect to its peltate cone scale complex, with free apices of both bract and ovuliferous scale, trichomes on the bract, and a trifurcated ovuliferous scale strand. In the fossil, the bract and ovuliferous scale strands fuse with each other in the basal part of the cone scale complex, while S. verticillata bract and ovuliferous scale strands are derived separately from the vascular cylinder and remain separate throughout their length. The present specimen is one of the oldest records of structurally preserved cones that can be assigned to the family Sciadopityaceae.     

Yezonia,a new section ofAraucaria (Araucariaceae) based on permineralized vegetative and reproductive organs ofA. vulgaris comb. nov. from the upper cretaceous of Hokkaido,Japan

A new specimen of an araucarian cone,Araucaria nihongii, was found attached to the vegetative organs ofYezonia vulgaris, and is described asAraucaria vulgaris comb. nov. Thick branches show characteristic bark structure with lenticular patches. Secondary wood is usually araucarioid. Leaves are arranged helically on shoots, which are imbricate, appressed and fused to surface of the stem. External and anatomical features of leaves closely resembleBrachyphyllum. The seed cone is spherical with winged bracts and thin ovuliferous scales. One seed is borne per cone-scale complex. The seed coat and nucellus wall show typical araucarian structure. An araucarian plant that boreBrachyphyllum-like foliage and aEutacta-like seed cone was predicted by Harris in 1979. This reconstructed plant,Araucaria vulgaris, supports this theory and proves the presence of an extinct characteristic-form of the genus. A new section of the genus was proposed forAraucaria vulgaris. Structure and Affinities of the Petrified Plants from the Cretaceous of Northern Japan and Saghalien XV, Consecutive number from previous paper (Nishidaet al. 1993).     

A NEW TAXODIACEOUS SEED CONE FROM THE OLIGOCENE OF WASHINGTON

Cunninghamiostrobus goedertii is described as a new species based on permineralized seed cones from the Early Oligocene of Washington. The fossils come from the Makah Formation and were found on the northern shore of the Olympic Peninsula. The cone consists of numerous bract-scale complexes arranged helically around a central axis. Each bract-scale complex has a large bract bearing a small flap of tissue adaxially that represents the ovuliferous scale. Up to three seeds were produced on each complex. The vascular trace to the bract-scale complex diverges from the vascular cylinder of the cone axis as a concentric strand. This divides in the outer cortex of the axis to form a large collateral bract tract abaxially and a minute scale trace adaxially. The latter continues outward to supply the ovuliferous scale. The bract trace divides, forming many strands outward which occur in a row with transfusion tissue between them. Many resin canals also occur in the bract. The new cone combines features found in modern cones of Athrolaxis, Cunninghamia, and Taiwania but is most similar to Cunninghamiostrobus yubariensis from the Late Cretaceous of Japan.     

Frenelopsis alata and its microsporangiate and ovuliferous reproductive structures from the Cenomanian of Bohemia (Czech Republic, Central Europe)

The conifer, Frenelopsis alata (K. Feistmantel) E. Knobloch (Cheirolepidiaceae), occurring mostly in the Cenomanian of Europe, is revised on the basis of the type material. Its comparison with relevant species of Frenelopsis is discussed.The ovuliferous cone associated with the genus Frenelopsis is recorded for the first time. For the associated ovuliferous cones of Frenelopsis, a new genus, Alvinia, is introduced in a new combination for the type: Alvinia bohemica (Velenovsky) comb. n. Its association with Frenelopsis alata is based on the presence of Classopollis pollen adhering to ovuliferous cone scales, and the same type of pollen found in the microsporangiate cone of F. alata, the same cuticle pattern present on ovuliferous cones, sterile twigs and microsporangiate cones of F. alata, and also the co-occurrence of ovuliferous cones or their scales and sterile twigs of F. alata.Large ovuliferous cones of Alvinia bohemica are formed by helically arranged ovuliferous scales subtended by bracts. Each ovuliferous cone scale displays one or two seeds covered by a covering flap, and three appendages, which form distally a funnel-like structure lined in its inner part by long trichomes. Numerous pollen grains of Classopollis adhere to the trichomes, and the structure is considered to function as a protostigmatic area.The ovuliferous cones of Alvinia differ from similar cones of the Cheirolepidiaceae, Hirmeriella and Tomaxellia, mainly in a high state of unification of the ovuliferous cone scale, reduction of appendages and in a presence of the protostigmatic funnel-like structure.The ovuliferous cones, Alvinia bohemica, rarely occur intact, so it is assumed that they disintegrate when mature. It seems likely that they were not woody. This assumption is supported by the flattened appearance of cones and their cone scales in the sediment, their flexibility and the absence of massive coaly matter known from cones of the Taxodiaceae and Cupressaceae. It is proposed that this type of ovuliferous cone scale indicates a specialized type of pollination. In addition, it is suggested that cone scales enclosing seeds play an important role in propagation.     

CONE AND OVULE DEVELOPMENT IN SCIADOPITYS (TAXODIACEAE-CONIFERALES)

Ontogeny of seed cones of Sciadopitys, with special reference to the ovule-supporting structure, is studied in material collected in Japan and Massachusetts. Cones are initiated as lateral or terminal structures in summer and complete the formation of most organs before winter. Bract development is well advanced before ovule-supporting structures are initiated. Continued cone development involves the formation of a narrow ridge of tissue in the axil of each fertile bract. This ridge develops a series of nine (but up to 12) apical lobes in centrifugal order, each of which is the primordium of a future tooth on the ovuliferous scale. Ovules are initiated as outgrowths of the adaxial surface of each lobe so that there is a one-to-one ratio between lobes and ovules. Intercalary extension of the ovuliferous scale itself (distally) and the common base of the bract and ovuliferous scale (proximally) greatly extends the complex. The ovuliferous scale eventually exceeds the subtending bract and its apex becomes recurved. Bracts each have a single trace, but each ovuliferous scale has a pair of traces that proliferate distally to irrigate ovule and scale lobe. Intercalary growth results in recurvature of the ovule trace. The organization of the cone is directly comparable with certain Permian fossils. Sciadopitys also seems unique within the Taxodiaceae in its centrifugal development of the ovule-supporting complex.     

New and little known blattogryllidae (Insecta: Grylloblattida) from the Permian and Triassic of Russia,Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan

New members of the family Blattogryllidae are described, including Permoblattogryllus praecox gen. et sp. nov. from the Middle Permian Soyana locality in Russia, Protoblattogryllus nedubrovensis from the Lower Triassic Nedubrovo locality in Russia, Madygenocephalus micropteron gen. et sp. nov. (the second known case of brachyptery in grylloblattids), and Costatoviblatta similis sp. nov. from the Middle Triassic Madygen locality in Kyrgyzstan. Protoblattogryllus zajsanicus Storozhenko, 1990 from the Upper Permian Karaungir II locality in Kazakhstan is redescribed. The genus Microblattogryllus Storozhenko, 1990 from Madygen is considered to be a synonym of Protoblattogryllus Storozhenko, 1990. Protoblattogryllus abruptus Storozhenko, 1990 from the Madygen locality is transferred to the genus Mesoblattogryllus Storozhenko, 1990.     

On the taxonomic position of Sciaromium lacustre Herz. & Rich. in Rich.

Abstract

Sciaromium lacustre Herz. & Rich. in Rich. from Peru is misplaced in Sciaromium and a new genus, Richardsiopsis, is erected to accommodate it. Richardsiopsis is considered most closely related to Donrichardsia macroneuron (Grout) Crum & Anderson from Texas on the basis of their similar gametophyte characters including the strong costa, oblong-rhomboidal to linear-flexuose, prorate lamina cells which are partly arranged in pluristratose strands and foliose, suborbicular, broadly rounded at the apex pseudoparaphyllia.     

PINUS AVONENSIS,A NEW SPECIES OF PETRIFIED CONES FROM THE OLIGOCENE OF WESTERN MONTANA

Fossils from the Oligocene of western Montana described in this treatment are the first structurally preserved ovulate cones of Pinus to be reported from the Tertiary of North America. They are about 5.5 cm long and have a maximum diam of 2.5 cm. Numerous scales are arranged spirally around the axis and each scale bears two winged seeds. The bract subtending the ovuli-ferous scale is 3-4 mm long and is free from the scale throughout its length. The pith and cortex of the axis are constructed of thick-walled parenchyma cells and 18-21 resin canals occur at the inner edge of the cortex. Resin canals entering the base of the ovuliferous scale are restricted to the abaxial side with vascular tissues occupying the adaxial side. Vascular strands near the tip of the scale are strongly rounded on the adaxial or phloem side. At the abaxial side of the tip of the ovuliferous scale is a broadly rhomboidal apophysis with a raised umbo that terminates in a short spine. The fossils differ from the several Recent cones examined in having fewer resin canals and biseriate rays in the secondary xylem of the cone axis. The shape of the cone, its anatomical features, and the morphology of the tip of the cone scale indicate affinity with the subgenus Diploxylon.     

Amphinema modernisme, a new Pandeid (Cnidaria: Anthomedusae) from the Southern Ocean

A new species of pandeid anthomedusa, Amphinema modernisme, is described from a single and complete specimen collected by a mid-water sediment trap placed at 500 m depth in open waters, over a 1066-m bottom in the Drake Passage near the South Shetland Islands. This new Amphinema is characterized by an egg-shaped apical chamber, partitioned by four narrow sacciform centrifugal prolongations of the radial canals, perradial gonads and cellular strands linking the radial canals to the exumbrella. Its morphological features are compared with those of the eight other species of the genus Amphinema and a new diagnosis for this genus is presented. Accepted: 19 July 1999     

NEW TAXODIACEOUS SEED CONES FROM THE UPPER CRETACEOUS OF NEW JERSEY

Nephrostrobus cliffwoodensis gen. et sp. nov., Nephrostrobus bifurcatus sp. nov., and Rhombostrobus cliffwoodensis gen. et sp. nov. are described based on anatomical studies of seed cone fragments from the Upper Cretaceous Magothy Formation of New Jersey. These species belong to the Taxodiaceae. As in Sequoia, Sequoiadendron. and Metasequoia, the vascular strands supplying the scale and bract in Nephrostrobus are about equal. These vascular strands are arranged in a reniform pattern resembling that found in Metasequoia, but the orientation differs by 180 degress. Nephrostrobus cliffwoodensis and Nephrostrobus bifurcatus differ from each other in the branching of the complex trace and associated resin canals. Rhombostrobus cliffwoodensis resembles Cunninghamia in the arrangement of vascular strands and associated resin canals in its bract-scale complexes. However, the relative amount of bract and ovuliferous scale making up the complex is more like that in Sequoia. This combination of cone features does not occur in any of the extant genera. Nephrostrobus and Rhombostrobus are not considered to be ancestral to any of the extant taxodiaceous genera, but are extinct members of an ancestral complex from which the extant genera were derived.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Septobasidium parviflorae</Emphasis> sp. nov. on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus parviflora</Emphasis> from Japan

Septobasidium parviflorae sp. nov. on Pinus parviflora is described and illustrated. This species is characterized by its whitish-gray, gray to dark gray-colored fungus body with an indeterminate margin, hyphal strands, and cylindrical basidia with long sterigmata. This is the first report of Septobasidium occurring on a member of the genus Pinus in Japan.     

VEGETATIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE MORPHOLOGY IN RETICULOCAULIS GEN. NOV. AND NACCARIA HAWAIIANA SP. NOV. (RHODOPHYTA,NACCARIACEAE)1

A secondarily formed reticulum of cells that encloses axial strands and a carposporophyte that is almost entirely converted to sporangia are the diagnostic features of a new genus, Reticulocaulis (Naccariaceae, Nemaliales), with R. mucosissimus as the type species. A new species of Naccaria, N. hawaiiana permits close comparison with the new genus and other previously described species of Naccaria. Until now, no Naccariaceae were known in the Pacific, and these new taxa are part of the sketchily known subtidal marine flora of Hawaii.     

Use of fluorescent microscopy in defining a small ligule-like ovuliferous scale of a permineralized taxodiaceous cone from the upper cretaceous of Hokkaido,Japan

Fluorescent microscopy was proved to be effective for structural identification of permineralized plant tissues in calcite nodules from the Upper Cretaceous of Hokkaido, Japan. A minute, scale-like projection on the bract of a fossil Taxodiaceous cone is identified as a true ovuliferous scale because it is bordered with a continuous epidermis that exhibits prominent fluorescence. The presence of the ovuliferous scale suggests that the fossil is aTaiwania archetype.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ammostigmus</Emphasis>, a new genus of digger wasps of the subtribe Ammoplanina (Hymenoptera,Crabronidae) from southwestern India

A new pemphredonine genus, Ammostigmus (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae), is described from southwestern India. The new genus differs from the other genera of the subtribe Ammoplanina in the quadridentate apical margin of the clypeus, non-bilobed labrum, the presence of postspiracular carina and omaulus, and the absence of episternal sulcus. Phylogenetically the new genus is most closely related to the genus Protostigmus Turner, 1918.     

AGAMOUS subfamily MADS-box genes and the evolution of seed cone morphology in Cupressaceae and Taxodiaceae

In this comparative developmental genetics study, we test hypotheses based on fossil and morphological data on reproductive organ morphology and evolution in conifers--specifically, the ovule-bearing organ in Cupressaceae and Taxodiaceae. Genes homologous to the Arabidopsis gene AGAMOUS are expressed in ovuliferous scales of spruces (Picea) throughout development. Previous studies have shown that the AGAMOUS subfamily of MADS-box genes predates the split between angiosperms and gymnosperms, and that these genes have in part conserved functions in reproductive development among seed plants, especially in the specification of identity of the ovule-bearing organs. These data indicate that their expression in conifer families other than Pinaceae might be used as markers for organs homologous to the Pinaceae ovuliferous scale. Here we have isolated putative AGAMOUS orthologs from Cupressaceae and Taxodiaceae and analyzed their expression pattern in seed cones to test for the presence of morphological homologs of ovuliferous scales. Our results were not congruent with the hypothesis that the tooth of the Cryptomeria seed cone is homologous to the Picea ovuliferous scale. Likewise, the hypothesis that the bracts of Thujopsis and Juniperus contain fused ovuliferous scales was not supported. However, we found expression of AGAMOUS homologs in the sterile bracts of Cupressaceae seed cones at late developmental stages. This expression probably represents a novel gene function in these conifer families, since no corresponding expression has been identified in Pinaceae. Our study suggests that the evolutionary history of modern conifer cones is more diverse than previously thought.