Browse by
Summary Table
Presenting Author
All Authors
Author's Institutions
Abstract Title
Abstract Keywords
Program/Schedule
Programs At-A-Glance
Detailed Programs
Custom Schedule
Sessions
Date/Time
Locations
or
Search
Botany 2005 Home
Login

Abstract Detail


Paleobotanical Section

Wang, Hongshan [1], Dilcher, David [1].

Aquatic angiosperms from the Dakota Formation (Albian, Lower Cretaceous), Hoisington III locality, Kansas, USA.

Two species of aquatic angiosperms are reported from the Hoisington III locality, Barton County, Kansas, USA. Leaves of the first species are ovate with strongly cordate base. The petiole is stout and always contains a prominent reniform, elliptical, or fusiform floating structure below the lamina. The margin is entire or slightly crenate on small leaves and predominately toothed on mature leaves. The primary venation is actinodromous with one medial and 2-4 lateral primary veins. The primary veins fork at variable distance and gradually decrease in thickness toward the margin. The veins of higher order form smaller polygonal meshes within those formed by primary and secondary veins. The leaves of the second species are orbiculate with peltate base. The primary venation is actinodromous, consisting of a midvein and several pairs of lateral primary veins that are radial in organization. The primary and secondary veins together form at least one series of excostal loops. The tertiary venation is reticulate. Based upon comparisons with the morphological characters of extant aquatic angiosperms, the first species may be related to extant Nymphaeaceae and the second species may be related to Nelumbonaceae. The presence of a number of aquatic angiosperms and ferns in the Kansas Dakota Formation sediments indicates the diversity of wetland plants during the Early Cretaceous. The new evidence of aquatic angiosperms provides us new data in understanding the role that these angiosperms played in the wetland vegetation along the eastern margin of the Western Interior Seaway during the Cretaceous.


Log in to add this item to your schedule

1 - Florida Museum of Natural History, Dickinson Hall, P.O. Box 117800, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA

Keywords:
Aquatic angiosperm
Cretaceous
Nymphaeaceae
Nelumbonaceae.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 17-3
Location: 404/Hilton
Date: Monday, August 15th, 2005
Time: 2:00 PM
Abstract ID:353


Copyright © 2000-2005, Botanical Society of America. All rights