On the genus Tomaxellia (Coniferae) from the Lower Cretaceous of Patagonia (Argentina) and its male and female cones

This paper reports the organic attachment of male and female cones to twigs previously described as Tomaxellia biforme Archangelsky. The male cones produce Classopollis pollen, while the scales of the female structures are comparable to the Rhaeto-Liassic northern genus Cheirolepidium. A new interpretation of the possible female cone of Cheirolepidium is presented, based on the new evidence now available with the knowledge of Tomaxellia cones. Other female cones found in Mesozoic formations may be comparable to some extent with Tomaxellia , such as Indostrobus (Cretaceous of India) or Pararaucaria (Jurassic of Argentina), and they may be grouped in the family Cheirolepidiaceae. Comparisons with older conifer genera with known female cones are also included (Voltziaceae). Some morphological changes of the female cones, which probably took place during the Mesozoic (in these particular groups) are also inferred.     

Ultrastructural studies of fossil plant cuticles: Ticoa harrisii from the early Cretaceous of Argentina

ARCHANGELSKY, S., TAYLOR, T. N. & KURMANN, M. H., 1985. Ultrastructural studies of fossil plant cuticles: Ticoa harrisii from the early Cretaceous of Argentina. The fine structure of fossil plant cuticles of Cretaceous age demonstrates well preserved layers that are topographically equivalent to those in some extant plants. Cuticle stratification on specialized structures (stomatal apparatus and trichomes) is presented, together with an account of the fine structure of both the upper and lower cuticular membrane. Levels of cuticle stratification are compared with those of extant plants.     

Phylogeny of Hydrophiloidea (Coleoptera: Staphyliniformia) using characters from adult and preimaginal stages

A phylogenetic analysis using characters from egg cases, larvae, pupae and adults was conducted; the outgroups included the beetle families Silphidae, Hydraenidae and Histeridae. Characters from the immature stages were obtained mostly from material reared in the laboratory, those from the adults were obtained from Hansen's generic revision for the superfamily. The results support the position of Hydraenidae within the Staphylinoidea, and not as part of Hydrophiloidea; Histeroidea is proposed as the sister group of Hydrophiloidea. At family level two clades are distinguished; the relationships within the first clade are ((Georissidae Epimetopidae) Helophoridae), those within the second are ((Hydrophilidae Spercheidae) Hydrochidae). Larval characters were most informative at the base of the tree, especially those associated with the spiracular atrium; adult characters were most informative at the apex of the tree.     

Phylogeny of Berosini (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae,Hydrophilinae) based on larval and adult characters,and evolutionary scenarios related to habitat shift in larvae

Abstract A phylogenetic analysis of Berosini including 15 taxa, 11 of them belonging to Berosini (ingroup), was performed. Of the 58 characters used, 32 derive from the larval stages, and 26 from the adult stage. Two well‐supported clades are recognized, one comprising Hemiosus and Berosus, and the other comprising Derallus, Regimbartia and Allocotocerus. Several larval evolutionary trends are discussed: shifts to benthic and cryptic habits, morphological modifications and adaptations related to these habits, and morphological changes of the clypeolabrum and head appendages. A comparative table for the larval stages of the five genera is included.     

Studies on Triassic Fossil Plants from Argentina: II. Michelilloa waltonii nov. gen. et spec. from the Ischigualasto Formation

A silicified stem from the Ischigualasto Formation (Trias) innorthern Argentina, is described and named Michelilloa waltoniinov. gen. et spec. It is compared with fossil stems of the generaCycadeoidea and Bucklandia, and with the living Cycadales. Acombination of characters (in particular the indumentum of longfilamentous hairs, multiseriate bordered pitting of the xylemtracheids, and the structure of the leaf gap and leaf tracebundle which are exactly similar to those of the cycad Dioonspinulosum) suggests that Michelilloa is an early representativeof the Cycadales.