Original paper
A Cretaceous (Aptian) flora from President Head, Snow Island, Antarctica
Cantrill, David J.
Palaeontographica Abteilung B Band 253 Lieferung 4-6 (2000), p. 153 - 191
135 references
published: Mar 8, 2000
Abstract
Lower Cretaceous strata on President Head, Snow Island, Antarctica, contain abundant plant mega- and microfossils. The stratigraphic relationships and palynology indicate an Aptian age for this flora. Sedimentology of the plant-bearing units strongly supports an interpretation of accumulation in a freshwater lake, and the low depositional energy has favoured the preservation of small delicate plants (e.g. Muscites, Jungermannites, Hepaticites), and insects (caddis-fly cases). Numerically the flora is dominated by Pachypteris indica, Zamites snowensis sp. nov., and Ptilophyllum menendezi sp. nov., with a subsidiary suite of ferns (Lophosoria cupulatus, Aculea bifida, Sphenopteris sp. A) and conifers (Elatocladus australis sp. nov.). Other taxa with rare occurrences include the bennettitalean Dictyozamites cf. aerolatus, and the pentoxylalean Taeniopteris lobatus sp. nov. Fertile material is common and includes coniferous foliage with attached ovulate cones, isolated pollen cones, seeds, and ?seed bearing axes (Palissya antarcticus sp. nov.). Comparison with other Gondwana floras points to strong associations with both South America and Australia.
Keywords
Cretaceous; Antarctica; Bryophyta; Pteridophyta; Spermatophyta