On the Megagametophytes of Two Lepidodendracean Cones

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Lepidodendracean fructifications with well-preserved megagametophytes are described from Pennsylvanian petrifactions of eastern Kentucky [USA]. One cone is megasporangiate with 1 functional alate spore in each sporangium. The other cone is bisporangiate with spinose megaspores and papillate microspores. Both strobili have megaspores that contain prothallia with rhizoids and well-developed archegonia. Ontogenetic stages of megagametophytic development in these cones are comparable to stages that occur in extant heterosporous lycopods. Further evidence of a close phylogenitic relationship between the lepidodendrids and the extant genus Isoetes was indicated.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: