Guazia,the earliest ovule without cupule but with unique integumentary lobes |
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| Authors: | De-Ming Wang Le Liu Yi Zhou Min Qin Mei-Cen Meng Yun Guo Jin-Zhuang Xue |
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| Institution: | Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belts and Crustal Evolution, Department of Geology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China;School of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China;Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, China;Institute of Deep Time Terrestrial Ecology, Institute of Palaeontology, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Earth System Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China |
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| Abstract: | The earliest ovules in the Late Devonian (Famennian) are surrounded by a cupule that is involved in both protection and pollination, and generally have free integumentary lobes. Here we report a new taxon from the Famennian of China, Guazia dongzhiensis gen. et sp. nov. The terminally borne ovule is apparently acupulate (without cupule) and has four radially arranged wing-like integumentary lobes that are extensively fused, and folded lengthwise and inwards. Guazia provides evidence that not all Devonian seeds possess a cupule and it increases their diversity in integumentary lobes. This genus also suggests that the integuments develop new functions, probably including wind dispersal at the expense of the cupules. |
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| Keywords: | ovule cupule integument Devonian seed plants |
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