Create your own conference schedule! Click here for full instructions

Abstract Detail



Recent Topics Posters

Bronson, Allison W. [1], Tomescu, Alexandru M.F. [2].

An intriguing plant fossil from the Early Devonian of Wyoming (Beartooth Butte Formation, Lochkovian–Pragian).

We explore the possible taxonomic affinities of an intriguing fossil from Lochkovian–Pragian (Early Devonian) of the Beartooth Butte Formation (Wyoming).  The fossil occurs in an early vascular plant assemblage and exhibits features that make it different from all other taxa in the unit: equal dichotomous branching of naked axes, large size, a finely fragmented texture, and a swollen base; its large size is unexpected for this stratigraphic level and age.  To address the taxonomic affinities of this specimen, we compare it with the largest Silurian – Middle Devonian representatives of different plant lineages in terms of size, branching pattern, and presence (or lack) of appendages.  These comparisons reveal that the combination of characters of the Cottonwood Canyon fossil is unlike that of any Silurian – Middle Devonian fossils.  Pending further discoveries, the taxonomic affinities of this fossil remain unresolved.


Log in to add this item to your schedule

1 - Humboldt State University, Department of Biological Sciences, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, California, 95521, USA
2 - Humboldt State University, Department Of Biological Sciences, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA, 95521, USA

Keywords:
Devonian
Fossil
Wyoming.

Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Session: P
Location: /
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PRT025
Abstract ID:1264
Candidate for Awards:None


Copyright © 2000-2013, Botanical Society of America. All rights reserved