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Embryophytic sporophytes in the Rhynie and Windyfield cherts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 July 2007

Dianne Edwards
Affiliation:
School of Earth, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3YE, UK.

Abstract

Brief descriptions and comments on relationships are given for the seven embryophytic sporophytes in the cherts at Rhynie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. They are Rhynia gwynnevaughanii Kidston & Lang, Aglaophyton major D. S. Edwards, Horneophyton lignieri Barghoorn & Darrah, Asteroxylon mackiei Kidston & Lang, Nothia aphylla Lyon ex Høeg, Trichopherophyton teuchansii Lyon & Edwards and Ventarura lyonii Powell, Edwards & Trewin. The superb preservation of the silica permineralisations produced in the hot spring environment provides remarkable insights into the anatomy of early land plants which are not available from compression fossils and other modes of permineralisation. They include soft tissues, such as those surrounding stomata, rhizoids, apical and lateral meristems, and diversity in conducting cells, with inferences for palaeoecophysiology, including water use efficiency, transport and absorption, and for growth processes and patterns.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Royal Society of Edinburgh 2003

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