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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Ruffordia goeppertii (Schizaeales, Anemiaceae) - A common fern from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of northeast Brazil

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Author(s):
Mohr, Barbara A. R. [1] ; Bernardes-de-Oliveira, Mary E. C. [2, 3] ; Loveridge, Robert [4] ; Pons, Denise [5] ; Sucerquia, Paula Andrea [2] ; Castro-Fernandes, Maria C. [2]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Museum Naturkunde, Berlin - Germany
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Geosci, BR-05508 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] Univ Guarulhos, CEPPE Postgrad, Res & Specialisat Ctr, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Univ Portsmouth, Sch Earth & Environm Sci, Portsmouth PO1 3QL, Hants - England
[5] Univ Paris 06, Lab Paleobotan, Paris - France
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: CRETACEOUS RESEARCH; v. 54, p. 17-26, MAY 2015.
Web of Science Citations: 4
Abstract

Extraordinarily well preserved fern macrofossils of Ruffordia goeppertii (Dunker) Seward (Schizaeales, Anemiaceae) are described from the Lower Cretaceous (late Aptian) Nova Olinda Member of the Crato Formation, northeast Brazil. The identification is based on the morphology of macrofossils and in situ spores, taken from organically preserved material. This extinct, relatively small fern exhibits dimorphic fronds with sterile and fertile pinnules and schizaeoid sporangia, including cicatricose spores. The growth form with clearly differentiated sterile and fertile pinnae may be interpreted as an ancestral state in the phylogeny of the extant genus Anemia. The abundance of this fern reflects its role as ground cover in at least partly (dry) sunny areas, possibly in fern savannah-like habitats, with adaptations to survive drought stress. Finds of Ruffordia in northern Gondwana extend the wide palaeogeographic range of this taxon. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)