EUPHORBIOID INFLORESCENCES FROM THE MIDDLE EOCENE CLAIBORNE FORMATION

Inflorescences from the Claiborne Formation of western Tennessee are remarkably similar to those of the tribe Hippomaneae, subfamily Euphorbioideae, of the Euphorbiaceae. The fossil inflorescences are spikes of bract-subtended cymules of at least three florets each. Florets are composed of at least three stamens. Palynological features of the fossils are also shared by the Hippomaneae. Fossil pollen is tricolporate, prolate (26.9 × 20.6 μm; P/E = 1.3), with lalongate pores. Exine structure is tectate columellate with a perforate tectum. The exine is reticulate and the muri are conspicuously striate. These specimens represent the first fossil floral evidence of the Euphorbiaceae. It is surprising that inflorescences of the Hippomaneae so modern in aspect existed in the Middle Eocene, since the tribe is universally considered to be one of the most advanced in the family.     

THE GRANULAR INTERSTITIUM IN THE POLLEN OF SUBFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEAE (LEGUMINOSAE)

A wide range of transitional forms of granular interstitia from simple to complex and from random to ordered occur in the pollen of the subfamily Papilionoideae. Three main types are described: 1) large, widely spaced irregular granules (Type A); 2) densely packed groups of columellae and granules (Type B); and 3) a mass of more or less disorganized granules (Type C). In the genus Calopogonium (tribe Phaseoleae) all three types have been found in different species. Two of the types have been found in different species of the genus Psoralea (tribe Psoraleeae). Granular structures so far occur in six tribes: Desmodieae, Indigofereae, Loteae, Phaseoleae, Psoraleeae, and Vicieae. All of the tribes are regarded as being evolutionarily advanced in both macro and micro characters and many, but not all, show specialized pollen characters. It is concluded that the granular interstitium is a derived structure in papilionoid legumes.     

PERMINERALIZED FRUITS AND SEEDS FROM THE PRINCETON CHERT (MIDDLE EOCENE) OF BRITISH COLUMBIA: ARACEAE

Some of the most conspicuous fruit and seed remains from the Middle Eocene Princeton chert locality (Allenby Formation) are assignable to the Araceae. Several thousand campylotropous, reniform, spiny seeds 2.5–3.2 mm long x 1.8–2.3 mm wide have been found dispersed in the chert. Two fruits, each with a single locule and at least eight ovules, show three distinct wall layers and appear to have been fleshy. The two layers of seed integument have pitted isodiametric sclereids aligned in radial rows, the outermost being thinner walled. Spines are borne in three rows on the dorsal seed surface while the ventral side is flattened. Idioblasts that probably contained raphides are present in the outer integument. Nucellar tissue is attached to the integument for most of its length and is well-preserved in some seeds near the chalaza and in the large conical shaped area beneath the micropyle. Endosperm cells with dark contents and curved, linear, monocotyledonous embryos are present in some seeds. Sections of seeds of living araceous taxa of the subfamilies Monsteroideae (Epipremnum, Rhodospatha) and Lasioideae (Urospatha, Cyrtosperma) were made for comparison. The fossil seeds represent a new taxon most closely related to Cyrtosperma, Keratosperma allenbyensis Cevallos-Ferriz et Stockey gen. et sp. nov., Family: Araceae, Subfamily: Lasioideae, Tribe: Lasieae. The Princeton remains are the oldest described seeds of this tribe known to date and add to our knowledge of the subtropical elements of the Princeton flora.     

云南路南中始新世雷兽化石

雷兽是一类生活在古近纪始新世的奇蹄类哺乳动物,化石主要发现在古北区的亚洲和北美。我国雷兽化石丰富,尤以在内蒙古地区发现居多。1943年Granger和Qegory根据在内蒙古找到的数量可观的完好材料(包括37个头骨和70件下颌骨在内的141件标本),对我国的雷兽化石做了较为全面和系统的整理和研究,划分出3个亚科、14个属和     

山西垣曲中始新世中期仓鼠化石

记述了在垣曲盆地郭家村火石坡地点发现的仓鼠类一新种和一个相似种———垣曲古亚鼠 (Palasiomysyuanquensissp .nov.)和垣曲古亚鼠相似种 (Palasiomyscf.P .yuanquensis )。新种以上臼齿前小尖不明显、m1下前边尖与下原尖相连、个体大等特点区别于属型种锥齿古亚鼠 (P .conulus)。古亚鼠化石在火石坡的发现为垣曲盆地可能存在中始新世伊尔丁曼哈期地层提供了又一证据。     

垣曲盆地新发现的始爪兽类化石

记述了在垣曲盆地始新世地层两个层位中发现的始爪兽科化石 3个种 ,其中包括 1个新种———周氏路南兽 (Lunaniazhouisp .nov .)。新种与属型种杨氏路南兽不同在于个体小、齿冠低、下前尖和下前脊及下斜脊更退化。     

A PERMINERALIZED FLOWER FROM THE MIDDLE EOCENE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

A permineralized flower bud, two stamen clusters and one isolated stamen of similar morphology have been found in the black cherts of the Middle Eocene Allenby Formation of Princeton, British Columbia. Specimens were studied using a modified cellulose acetate peel technique and hydrofluoric acid. The single flower specimen, 4.5 mm long and 4.0 mm in diameter, represents half of a relatively mature bud of a bisexual flower with a superior ovary. The two-loculate pistil is 2.5 mm long with a solid style and a lobed stigmatic surface. No ovules have been observed in attachment. Twenty-two to 24 stamens are borne in three whorls or a tight helix. Pollen sacs of the anther are elongate with a thin connective while filaments are laminar. Anther walls contain rectangular cells with dark contents that also can be identified in isolated stamens or stamen clusters. Abundant stephanocolpate (pentacolpate), psilate pollen grains 20 μm in diameter have been isolated and examined using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Grains are tectate, columellate with a broad foot layer that thins near the apertures, and an endexine of small platelets. The remains of four petals are surrounded by one large sepal, suggesting two in the whole flower. Morphological features of this flower are comparable to taxa of the Flacourtiaceae and Papaveraceae, but show closest similarities to the Eschscholziaeae of the Papaveraceae. Difficulties with reconciling the placement of this flower in the Eschscholziaeae and the known environment of deposition of the Princeton chert are discussed. The fossil material represents a new angiospermous taxon: Princetonia allenbyensis Stockey gen. et sp. nov., family Incertae sedis.     

硅藻鼠科(哺乳纲,啮齿目)与亚洲中始新世啮齿类的双脊齿(英文)

亚洲特有的啮齿类硅藻鼠科自渐新世以来分布于东亚和南亚。现生硅藻鼠类的分布只限于老挝的喀斯特地区。就目前所知,这些具有豪猪型头骨-松鼠型下颌的啮齿类的颊齿都是不同程度的横向双脊齿。时代最早的硅藻鼠类产于巴基斯坦渐新世地层中,其颊齿的双脊齿构造上仍保留齿尖残迹,基本符合双脊齿型牙齿结构。至渐新世末期,硅藻鼠科的牙齿出现分化。中新世及以后硅藻鼠类的化石记录相对较少。分子生物学证据将硅藻鼠类归入Ctenohystrica,这种归属也从始新世梳趾鼠类的臼齿形态上得到一定的支持。除此之外,有关硅藻鼠类的起源问题几乎一无所知。亚洲中始新世的Hydentomys臼齿表现出轻微的双脊型,然而其他方面却与硅藻鼠类不同。另一个具双脊齿的啮齿类Dolosimus(新属)产于江苏中始新世,其具有更为发育的双脊齿,特别是臼齿型下牙。新属的不完整记录及其形态不能解决如下问题:它是否与后来出现的像硅藻鼠类和跃兔类这些具有明显双脊齿型颊齿的啮齿类有亲缘关系,或者只是这种形态发育中没有留下后继者的早期试验品。     

A NEW GENUS OF CERATOMORPHS (MAMMALIA) FROM MIDDLE EOCENE OF CHINA

<正> Class Mammalia Linnaeus, 1758Order Perissodactyla Owen, 1848Suborder Ceratomorpha Wood, 1937Family ?Hyracodontidae Cope, 1879Genus Yimengia gen. nov.     

中国壳斗科栎亚科花粉形态研究

本文应用光学显微镜与扫描电子显微镜观察了壳斗科所属栎亚科2属26种2变种的花粉形态,并以本科其它属一些代表种作对比,试图从孢粉学方面为栎亚科的系统分类提供依据。 花粉外壁纹饰在扫描电镜下可分三种类型,即水青冈型(含水青冈属),栎型(含栎属和三棱栎属),栗型(含栗属、锥属和柯属),花粉的类型与植物形态分类的三个亚科一致。 栎亚科的花粉外壁纹饰在扫描电镜下为颗粒聚集成的种种形状。栎属可区分为四种类型,即颗粒状、颗粒——蠕虫状、聚颗粒及芽孢状,其中类型一、二、三为常绿种类,类型四为落叶种类。花粉纹饰在常绿与落叶种类之间有较明显的差异,而青冈亚属和栎亚属之间却没有界线。因此,栎属仍以包含两个亚属为宜。三棱栎属花粉纹饰则介于栎属的类型二与三之间。     

INTERCONNECTED REPRODUCTIVE AND VEGETATIVE REMAINS OF POPULUS (SALICACEAE) FROM THE MIDDLE EOCENE GREEN RIVER FORMATION,NORTHEASTERN UTAH

A new specimen from the Middle Eocene Evacuation Creek Member of the Green River Formation in northeastern Utah shows a twig with several leaves of Populus wilmattae Cockrell and a fruiting raceme attached. This specimen establishes for the first time the type of fruits borne by P. wilmattae and provides additional characters with which to assess its taxonomic and evolutionary status. An associated seed shows attached placental hairs like those of extant species of Populus. The Green River fossil differs from extant Populus species in having basically palmate leaf venation and in bearing its fruiting axis on a young twig. In other aspects, the fossil species is remarkably similar to the extant species Populus mexicana.     

垣曲盆地中始新世貘类和犀类新材料

记述了近年来在山西垣曲盆地中始新世河堤组任村段中发现的貘类和犀类化石计４科７属８种动物。它们不仅为原有类群增加了新材料,而且出现了该地区以前不曾有过的种类,因而丰富了垣曲盆地中始新世哺乳动物群内涵。     

INVESTIGATIONS OF ANGIOSPERMS FROM THE MIDDLE EOCENE OF NORTH AMERICA: FLOWERS OF THE CELTIDOIDEAE

Flowers from the Middle Eocene Claiborne Formation of western Tennessee have both floral and palynological features suggestive of affinities with the subfamily Celtidoideae of the Ul-maceae. Floral size, pollen size, and exine structure suggest that these flowers are intermediate between insect-pollinated ancestors and the modern wind-pollinated Celtidoideae. Thus, they represent the first direct fossil evidence supporting the widespread notion that at least some of the Amentiferae have been derived from insect-pollinated ancestors.     

山东新泰中始新世化石哺乳类新材料

本文记述了采自山东新泰的一批中始新世哺乳动物,并主要地与内蒙大苏尼特右旗呼和勃尔和等地“阿山头组”中的哺乳动物做了比较。新泰动物群似应为中始新世早期。     

山西垣曲原蹄犀(犀科,奇蹄目,哺乳纲)化石

火石坡是垣曲盆地近年来新发现的化石点,产有丰富的哺乳动物化石,多数已被报道(黄学诗等,1999;Zhang et al.,2001;刘丽萍、黄学诗,2002;黄学诗、王景文,2002;Dawson et al.,2003;黄学诗,2004),本文仅对其中的奇蹄目原蹄犀类化石予以简单记述,它的发现为垣曲盆地始新世动物群增加了新成员.     

河南淅川始新世核桃园组肉齿类和食肉类化石

这里记述了河南淅川核桃园组三种肉齿类: Propterodon sp., ? P. pishigouensis sp. nov.和 Sarkastodon henanensis sp. nov. 讨论了小孑鬣兽 (Prolaena parva Xu et al.) 的分类位置,并记述了卢氏细齿兽 (Miaeis lushiensis Chow) 的新增材料.