An Early Cretaceous root-climbing epiphyte (Lindsaeaceae) and its significance for calibrating the diversification of polypodiaceous ferns.
The discovery of fossilised roots of a lindsaeoid fern within the trunk of the extinct tree fern Tempskya provides new fossil evidence for Lindsaeaceae in the Mesozic, as well as the first direct evidence of an ecological association between Tempskya and root-climbing epiphytes. Data were collected from permineralised Tempskya trunks from the Aspen Shale (Early Cretaceous, Albian), Wyoming (USA). The roots of the lindsaeoid fossil are clearly distinguishable from those of Tempskya and other living ferns based on a suite of distinctive anatomical features, which are described in detail. The foliage is unknown. The new fossil is interpreted as a root climber, and comparisons are made with similar living species in Lindsaea subgenus Odontoloma (Lindsaeaceae). The documentation of Lindsaeaceae in the Early Cretaceous adds to a small but growing body of data on the diversification of polypodiaceous ferns during this important period. These recent discoveries point to a much earlier (Early Cretaceous) crown group radiation of polypodiaceous ferns than previously suspected.
Schneider
H
H
Department of Botany, The Field Museum, 1499S, Lake Shore Drive, 60605, Chicago, IL, USA
Kenrick
P
P