Permian glossopterid scale leaves from the La Golondrina Formation (Santa Cruz, Argentina): the neglected members of Glossopteris floras
- Autores: Bárbara Cariglino
- Localización: Revista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales, ISSN-e 1853-0400, ISSN 1514-5158, Vol. 15, Nº. 1, 2013, págs. 61-70
- Idioma: español
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Resumen
Glossopterid scale leaves from the La Golondrina Formation are described and analyzed. Three differenttypes are recognized based on their morphological differences and venation patterns. Type A scale leaves aretriangular in shape, have central veins running straight to the apex, and lateral veins dichotomizing once or twicebefore reaching the margins. Type B scales have wide-ranging shapes, and a number of separate, central veinsrunning straight upwards, dividing and anastomosing several times, while lateral veins arch towards the margin,forming meshes that become shorter and numerous closer to the margins. Last, Type C scale leaves are triangularto rhombic, sometimes subcircular, convex scales, furrowed by straight, sub-parallel veins that arise from thebase and reach the distal margin, occasionally dichotomizing closer to the margins. The lower and middle partsof these scales are covered by rounded, small punctuations. The artificial classification here proposed is solely forthe purpose of identification of these elements, and do not necessarily imply relationships. The different types ofscales could have acted as protection of buds and/or fertile parts or as disperser of the latter once they were ripe.
