Wairarapaia mildenhallii gen. et sp. nov., a New Araucarian Cone Related to Wollemia from the Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) of New Zealand

A new genus and species, Wairarapaia mildenhallii Cantrill et Raine, is established for two ovulate cones with helically inserted cone-scale complexes and a centrally positioned inverted ovule from the Cretaceous (late Albian to Cenomanian) of New Zealand. The cones are up to 60 mm in diameter with...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of plant sciences 2006-11, Vol.167 (6), p.1259-1269
Main Authors: Cantrill, D.J, Raine, J.I
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Araucariaceae
fossils
new species
paleobotany
plant morphology
plant taxonomy
Wairarapaia mildenhallii
Wollemia
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Summary:A new genus and species, Wairarapaia mildenhallii Cantrill et Raine, is established for two ovulate cones with helically inserted cone-scale complexes and a centrally positioned inverted ovule from the Cretaceous (late Albian to Cenomanian) of New Zealand. The cones are up to 60 mm in diameter with wedge-shaped cone-scale complexes, at least 18 mm long by 8 mm wide and with narrow wings and a short apical spine. The ovules sit centrally in a distinct hollow on the cone-scale complex surface but are attached only by a basal pad of tissue. Ovules are oriented with the micropyle facing the cone axis. They have short lateral wings and are interpreted to be dehiscent from the cone-scale complex. The cone organization suggests affinities with the Araucariaceae. The seed has a narrow attachment point similar to that seen in Agathis and Wollemia and quite unlike that of Araucaria, where the ovule is embedded in the cone-scale complex. Recent phylogenetic analyses suggest that features used to assign fossil taxa to Araucaria need to be reevaluated. This cone supports the notion that many records of Araucaria-like fossils represent basal lineages within the Araucariaceae rather than extinct members of the genus Araucaria.
ISSN:1058-5893
1537-5315
DOI:10.1086/507608