Lepingia: A New Genus of Probable Cycadalean Affinity with Taeniopterid Lamina from the Permian of South China

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Abstract
Lepingia Liu et Yao, gen. nov., is created for the foliage of Taeniopteris type with amphistomatic cuticles from the early Late Permian deposits of South China. The type species Lepingia emarginata Liu et Yao, gen. et sp. nov., displays entire‐margined lamina, an emarginate apex, once‐bifurcated lateral veins, and amphistomatic cuticles. The adaxial cuticle is of moderate thickness, with haplocheilic stomata, which are rather sparsely distributed in the intercostal zones and are oriented irregularly. The abaxial cuticle is rather thin, with haplocheilic stomata that are densely distributed between the costal zones and are oriented at random. The guard cells of the abaxial cuticle are partly or fully concealed by the arching subsidiary cells resembling those in some species of the Mesozoic genus Nilsonia. Judging from the haplocheilic organization of stomata, relatively thin deposits of cuticle in guard cells, and irregular orientation of stomata, as well as rather straight anticlinal walls of epidermal cells, the new genus compares most favorably with the Mesozoic genera Doratophyllum and Nilsonia and most probably is of cycadalean affinity. Based on the cuticular characters, floral composition, taphonomic characteristics, and palaeomagnetic data, the ecology of the new taxon is briefly discussed.