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A new anatomically preserved Alloiopteris fern from Moscovian (Bolsovian) volcanoclastics of Flöha (Flöha Basin, SE Germany)

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Abstract

The morphology and anatomy of a new zygopterid fern are described from the Middle Pennsylvanian (Bolsovian) of Flöha, SE Germany. The fossils occur as allochthonous remains within the basal Schweddey Ignimbrite, which preserves a diverse wetland plant community of cordaitaleans, ferns, pteridosperms, calamitaleans, and lycophytes. Pinnae of Alloiopteris loecsei sp. nov. exhibit a combined carbonized and anatomical preservation type due to rapid entombment in fine-grained pyroclastics. The newly collected Alloiopteris fossils show typical gross morphology, but also reveal the anatomy of penultimate and ultimate rachides. The affinity of the new fern is discussed amongst zygopterids in general and the famous zygopterid stems Zygopteris primaria (von Cotta) Corda and Asterochlaena laxa Stenzel from the Flöha site in particular. Our investigation highlights the striking potential of pyroclastic deposits for preserving and yielding both morphological and three-dimensional anatomical aspects of plant fossils.

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Acknowledgements

This contribution is dedicated to Hans Kerp, Münster, on the occasion of his 65th birthday. We would like to thank him for his always encouraging spirit. Furthermore, we are indebted to Frank Löcse, Uhlsdorf, for his stimulating enthusiasm, guidance during fieldwork activities, helpful discussions and providing Fig. 1. Jean Galtier, Montpellier, is gratefully acknowledged for discussion and providing additional references. Finally, we would like to thank Arden Bashforth and an anonymous reviewer and the editors Benjamin Bomfleur and Mike Reich for their help and constructive comments. This research was partly supported by a Visiting Professorship for Senior International Scientists of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant 2016vea004 to JP), by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG grant RO 1273/4-1 to RR) and the research program of the Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (RVO67985831). We welcomed the constructive advice and suggestions by A. Arden R. Bashforth, Benjamin Bomfleur and one anonymous journal reviewer and cordially thank them.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Palaeobiodiversity, West Bohemian Museum in Pilsen, Kopeckého Sady 2, 30100, Pilsen, Czech Republic

    Josef Pšenička

  2. Museum für Naturkunde, Moritzstraße 20, 09111, Chemnitz, Germany

    Ronny Rößler & Mathias Merbitz

  3. Institut für Geologie, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Bernhard-von-Cotta-Straße 2, 09599, Freiberg, Germany

    Ronny Rößler

  4. Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Palaeoecology, Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Rozvojová 269, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic

    Jana Frojdová

  5. Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43, Prague 2, Czech Republic

    Stanislav Opluštil

  6. State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Geology, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 39 Beijing Road, Nanjing, 210008, People’s Republic of China

    Josef Pšenička

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  1. Josef Pšenička
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Pšenička, J., Rößler, R., Frojdová, J. et al. A new anatomically preserved Alloiopteris fern from Moscovian (Bolsovian) volcanoclastics of Flöha (Flöha Basin, SE Germany). PalZ 93, 395–407 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12542-019-00482-x

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