STRUCTURALLY PRESERVED FOSSIL PLANTS FROM ANTARCTICA. IV. TRIASSIC OVULES

• Published in: American Journal of Botany
• Main Authors: Perovich, Nancy E., Taylor, Edith L.
• Other Authors: National Science Foundation
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1989
• Subjects: Fremouw Peak; Transantarctic Mountains; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/j.1537-2197.1989.tb15079.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fj.1537-2197.1989.tb15079.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/j.1537-2197.1989.tb15079.x; http://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/chorus/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fj.1537-2197.1989.tb15079.x

Small, anatomically preserved ovules are described from specimens collected at Fremouw Peak in the central Transantarctic Mountains. The ovules occur within a silicified peat in the upper part of the Fremouw Formation, which is considered to be Early to Middle Triassic. Ovules are radially symmetrical and ovoid, with an integument that consists of a narrow endotesta and a complex sclerotesta. The bilayered nucellus has a characteristic scalloped appearance and is attached to the integument only at the base. Of 43 ovules examined, 50 to 60% contain cellular megagametophyte tissue. One specimen contains a possible archegonium with embryo. Although the ovules have not been found attached, their possible affinities are discussed in relation to the known flora from this locality and other, comparable‐aged floras from Gondwana.