Article
Evolutionary Biology
Gongle Shi, Fabiany Herrera, Patrick S. Herendeen, Elizabeth G. Clark, Peter R. Crane
Summary: A new genus and species of corystosperm seed-bearing structure, Jarudia zhoui gen. et sp. nov., is described based on abundant silicified material collected from the Early Cretaceous Huolinhe Formation in China. This finding expands our understanding of the extinct corystosperm plants and raises questions about their phylogenetic circumscription and relationships with other seed plants.
JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Andres Elgorriaga, Brian A. Atkinson
Summary: In recent years, Doyleales have played an important role in the discussion and exploration of seed plant relationships and the origin of angiosperms. This study reports a new genus of Doyleales, Zirabia gen. nov., from the Early Jurassic of Iran, which was originally described as the ginkgophyte Karkenia. The results indicate that Doyleales are significantly older than previously thought, with their stratigraphic range extending from the Lower Jurassic to the Cretaceous.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Luke E. Meade, Andrew R. G. Plackett, Jason Hilton
Summary: The study investigates the evolutionary origins of seed development using the Carboniferous fossil Genomosperma, revealing significant variation in integumentary lobes of its ovules. Seeds of Genomosperma were also identified within cupules for the first time. The research suggests that the integument, nucellus, and cupule may have developed in a shoot-like manner, potentially ancestral to extant seed plant reproductive shoots.
Article
Biology
Ya Li, Yong-Dong Wang, Natalya Nosova, Ning Lu, Yuan-Yuan Xu
Summary: The study describes three new species of filmy ferns belonging to the Hymenophyllaceae family, found in mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber. These fossil findings expand the diversity of cryptogams in the area and provide insights into the paleoenvironment. The research highlights the notable diversity of Hymenophyllaceae during the Cretaceous period.
Article
Paleontology
Chun -Xiang Li, Jun-Ye Ma, Jia-Sheng Hao, Qun Yang
Summary: Based on the analysis, it is likely incorrect to assign the fossils from the Early Cretaceous to the genus Athyrium, as the earliest athyriums probably diverged during the Eocene or later. By studying the sorus morphology of extant genera related to Athyriaceae, it was found that the diagnostic feature for assigning the Cretaceous fossils to Athyrium is common to the entire family or ancestral for the genus. Comparing the frond morphology of the fossil with living taxa of the family, it was determined that the fossil is more closely related to the Deparia clade rather than the clade including Athyrium.
Article
Plant Sciences
Christopher J. Cleal, Barry A. Thomas
Summary: A more natural taxonomy of Carboniferous lyginopteridalean seed-plant fronds has been achieved by considering additional characters related to frond architecture and rachial features. This revised classification now recognizes eight fossil-genera, clarifying their diagnostic descriptions, nomenclatural types, and stratigraphical/chronological distribution. This improved classification will enhance studies on past plant diversity and floristics, and also requires reclassifying some fossil-species of fern fronds into fossil-genera defined by reproductive structures.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
De-Ming Wang, Le Liu, Yi Zhou, Min Qin, Mei-Cen Meng, Yun Guo, Jin-Zhuang Xue
Summary: A new taxon, Guazia dongzhiensis gen. et sp. nov., from the Late Devonian of China, provides evidence of the diversity of integumentary lobes in Devonian seeds and suggests the development of new functions for the integuments.
NATIONAL SCIENCE REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Geology
Xiaoxuan Long, Yuan Peng, Hongrui Zhang, Yong Fan, Chao Shi, Shuo Wang
Summary: Researchers have discovered a fossilized fern with fertile pinnae preserved in mid-Cretaceous amber from Myanmar, which has been assigned to the genus Microlepia and named Microlepia burmasia. This finding adds to the diversity of polypod ferns in the Cretaceous and dates the origin of Microlepia to at least 60 million years earlier, coinciding with the rise of angiosperms.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ashley A. Klymiuk, Gar W. Rothwell, Ruth A. Stockey
Summary: The newly discovered Xadzigacalix quatsinoensis gen. et sp. nov. is characterized by unique seed morphology and may have affinities with either gnetophytes or angiosperms. Additionally, a critical re-evaluation of ovulate structures for Mesozoic gymnosperms has provided new insights into plant diversity immediately preceding the explosive diversification of flowering plants.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Keith Berry
Summary: The traditional perspective attributing the first phase of the fern spike to a Cyathea-like fern has been challenged by recent investigations, which suggest a more common presence of Anemia-like ferns at the K/Pg boundary. Some ferns in western North America may have produced spores similar to those observed at the fern spore spike. These results may help explain the taxonomic differences in the fern spore spike between western North America and New Zealand.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Qinsong Yang, Xining Chen, Jinjin Li, Ziqi Pei, Yixin Chen, Puyuan Liu, Zhaowei Yu, Yong Liu, Guolei Li
Summary: Tannins have various industrial applications due to their chelating, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. Hydrolysable tannins (HTs) are suitable for feed additives as a replacement for antibiotics due to their lower anti-nutritional effects. However, the regulation of HT biosynthesis in plants is still largely unknown.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Paleontology
Johanna H. A. Van Konijnenburg-van Cittert, Stefan Schmeissner, Guenter Duetsch, Evelyn Kustatscher, Christian Pott
Summary: A macrofossil plant assemblage from Rhaetian strata near Einberg, Germany, revealed a diverse array of sphenophyte, fern, and seed fern remains. Comparison with neighboring localities showed distinct regional differences in the vegetation of the respective floras, possibly due to ecological factors.
NEUES JAHRBUCH FUR GEOLOGIE UND PALAONTOLOGIE-ABHANDLUNGEN
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marcelo R. Romero, Gisella Trejo Nieva, Jose Vedelago, Cesar G. Gomez
Summary: A chemical actuator utilizing the internal microstructure of a plant stem was developed, creating an intelligent hydraulic valve with pH-responsive properties. This device demonstrated efficient control of flux and pH-responsive open/close transitions, suitable for application in aqueous systems.
Article
Plant Sciences
Fabiany Herrera, Gongle Shi, Maya A. Bickner, Niiden Ichinnorov, Andrew B. Leslie, Peter R. Crane, Patrick S. Herendeen
Summary: The seed cones of extant Pinaceae show two mechanisms of seed release, flexers and shedders. Lepidocasus mellonae, found in the Aptian-Albian of Mongolia, represents the earliest and most detailed evidence of a shedder seed cone.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucas Vieira Lima, Alexandre Salino, Michael Kessler, Germinal Rouhan, Weston L. Testo, Caio Suzart Argolo, Thais Elias Almeida
Summary: In this study, we investigated the monophyly of genera in the Gleicheniaceae family using extended sampling and genomic data. The results confirmed the monophyly of most genera, except for Sticherus. We also found that while most Gleicheniaceae genera originated during the Mesozoic, some genera showed diversification in the Neogene and Quaternary periods. Our findings suggest the importance of reticulation and polyploidy in this diversification process, and identify Rouxopteris and Stromatopteris as evolutionary relics.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Mycology
Ludovic Le Renard, Ruth A. Stockey, Garland Upchurch, Mary L. Berbee
Article
Plant Sciences
Ruth A. Stockey, Gar W. Rothwell
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2020)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ludovic Le Renard, Andre L. Firmino, Olinto L. Pereira, Ruth A. Stockey, Mary L. Berbee
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2020)
Article
Geology
Gar W. Rothwell, Ruth A. Stockey, Selena Y. Smith
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ruth A. Stockey, Gar W. Rothwell, Brian A. Atkinson
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Plant Sciences
Alexander C. Bippus, Gar W. Rothwell, Ruth A. Stockey
Summary: This study reports the discovery of a well-preserved fossil moss gametophyte from the late Cretaceous period in the Arctic region, specifically along the Colville River on the North Slope of Alaska. The fossil, identified as Cynodontium luthii sp. nov., is an extinct species belonging to a genus known from the High Arctic today, providing new insights into the evolutionary history of Arctic moss flora and their adaptation to different climates over time.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ruth A. Stockey, Georgia L. Hoffman, Gar W. Rothwell
Summary: Nearly 200 araceous leaves and two spadices from the Paleocene fossils near Blackfalds, Alberta, Canada have been identified, likely representing parts of the same extinct plant species. The study used light microscopy and phylogenetic analyses to determine the relationships within Araceae. The leaves and spadices belong to an early-diverging lineage of Araceae, providing evidence of extinct Proto-Araceae shortly after the Cretaceous-Paleogene floral transition.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Brian A. Atkinson, Dori L. Contreras, Ruth A. Stockey, Gar W. Rothwell
Summary: This study characterizes two new extinct genera of conifers, expanding the taxonomic and morphological diversity within the Cunninghamioideae subfamily. The research shows that Cunninghamioideae peaked in diversity during the Cretaceous, with most extinct genera disappearing by the end of the Campanian period.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ludovic Le Renard, Ruth A. Stockey, Garland R. Upchurch, Mary L. Berbee
Summary: A new fungal sporocarp type with radiate scutella growing from the stomata of conifer leaves in the Lower Cretaceous was discovered, representing a now extinct group of leaf-dwelling Dothideomycetes. This unique morphology contributes to the understanding of the range of character combinations of early epiphyllous Ascomycota.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ashley A. Klymiuk, Gar W. Rothwell, Ruth A. Stockey
Summary: The newly discovered Xadzigacalix quatsinoensis gen. et sp. nov. is characterized by unique seed morphology and may have affinities with either gnetophytes or angiosperms. Additionally, a critical re-evaluation of ovulate structures for Mesozoic gymnosperms has provided new insights into plant diversity immediately preceding the explosive diversification of flowering plants.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Geology
Gar W. Rothwell, Ruth A. Stockey
Summary: Sixty-seven coalified compression specimens of leaves, including a new amphibious aquatic plant, have been discovered near Cardston, Alberta, Canada. The study compares these specimens with other fossil and extant aquatic plants, highlighting the importance of understanding wetland habitats during the Late Cretaceous.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Nathaniel L. Edmonds, Ruth A. Stockey, Gar W. Rothwell
Summary: This research identifies and studies fossils of a new floating aquatic angiosperm from the Late Cretaceous period. The plant exhibits similar growth habits to several extant taxa, but differs in leaf venation and presence of compound leaves. The fossils are described as a new genus and species, Tolmania aquatica, which is similar to a previously known fossil species Quereuxia angulata.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Harufumi Nishida, Ruth A. Stockey, Yusuke Takebe, Julien Legrand, Toshihiro Yamada
Summary: This study describes a new genus of a probable stem polypodioid leptosporangiate fern based on a permineralized fertile pinnule from the Late Cretaceous Yezo Group in Hokkaido, Japan. The study provides insights into the diversity of ferns during this period, challenging previous assumptions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Gar W. Rothwell, Ruth A. Stockey, Dennis W. Stevenson, Cecilia Zumajo-Cardona
Summary: This research examines fossil seeds from the Jurassic period in Haida Gwaii, western Canada to study the evolution of cycads. The fossil seeds are described as a new species called Traskia maahlae, which shares similar seed structure and germination mode with living cycads. The study adds to the paleontological data on stem and crown group cycads, suggesting that cycad seed germination modes evolved during the Mesozoic and crown group cycad species may have appeared in the Cenozoic.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ludovic Le Renard, Ruth A. Stockey, Garland R. Upchurch, Mary L. Berbee
Summary: The study identified a new taxon of early Dothideomycetes with unique characteristics, found in Lower Cretaceous deposits in Virginia, USA, dating back to 125-113 million years ago.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2021)