Ankyropteris from the Pennsylvanian of Eastern Kentucky

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Abstract
Several stems, roots, petioles, and vegetative frond parts referable to the genus Ankyropteris and fertile Tedelea-like foliage are described from Pennsylvanian-age sediments of eastern Kentucky. The new material shows features that encompass all those previously described for specimens of Ankyropteris glabra, A. brongniartii, A. grayi, A. scandens, and A. bibractensis. In the Kentucky specimens, the stele ranges from angular to distinctly lobed, with internodes 2-7 cm long. Nodal anatomy in one specimen is similar to the type specimen of A. glabra; in others it resembles that of A. grayi. Uniseriate, multicellular hairs are present on some specimens. The frond is bipinnate, with a petiole similar to A. glabra, A. brongniartii, A. grayi, A. scandens, and A. bibractensis. The specimens also display adventitious roots with numerous lateral roots and root hairs, and haplocheilic stomata on foliage, features not previously known for Ankyropteris. Sporangia of the Tedelea-like foliage are marginal or sometimes abaxial below a vein. Individual sporangia are pyriform, approximately 0.3 .times. 0.5 mm, and have a distal annulus occupying 1/3 to 1/2 of the sporangium. Mature spores are compared with the dispersed spore species Raistrickia vulgata. On the basis of the new material, it is suggested that A. grayi, A. glabra, A. scandens, A. bibractensis, Anachoropteris decaisnei, and Tedelea glabra are synonymous with A. brongniartii and that the genus Ankyropteris be transferred to the Filicales.

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