Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.4154/GC.2015.11

Contribution to the knowledge of Cordaites species from the Kladno-Rakovník Basin, Middle Pennsylvanian (Bolsovian), Czech Republic

Zbynek Šimunek ; Czech Geological Survey
Jan Haldovský ; amateur paleobotanist, Pchery near Kladno

Abstract

Newcollections from the spoil piles of the Theodor mine in Pchery and Schoellermine in Libušín (Kladno-Rakovník Basin, Czech Republic) yielded a new Cordaitesspecies and improved knowledge of the extent of the cuticular variabilityof the species Cordaites wartmannii Šimůnek.Based on cuticles, it has been proven that the species Cordaites polynervus Šimůnek is conspecific with Cordaiteskladnoensis Šimůnek. The newspecies, Cordaites theodorii Šimůnek& Haldovský sp. nov.,established on strongly papillate cuticles, is characterized by the presence ofsmall teeth on the leaf margin. This feature is new for the genus Cordaites.The palaeoecological significance of papillae on Cordaites cuticles isdiscussed. It is probably an adaptation to living on a peat substrate. Comparison of the species Cordaites wartmannii Šimůnek and Cordaites barthelii Šimůnek is made. Adaxial cuticles of Cordaiteskladnoensis and Cordaites wartmannii are so similar that it isdifficult to distinguish these species by means of the adaxial cuticle alone.

Keywords

Cordaites; cuticular analysis; Central Bohemian basins; Carboniferous; Bolsovian

Hrčak ID:

141061

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/141061

Publication date:

18.6.2015.

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