Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://umt-ir.umt.edu.my:8080/handle/123456789/5915
Title: Crown Group Lejeuneaceae and Pleurocarpous Mosses in Early Eocene (Ypresian) Indian Amber
Authors: Jochen, Heinrichs
Julia, Bechteler
Armin, Scheben
Gaik Ee, Lee
Alfons, Schäfer- Verwimp
Lars, Hedenäs
Hukam, Singh
Tamás, Pócs
Paul C., Nascimbene
Denilson F., Peralta
Matt, Renner
Alexander R., Schmid
Keywords: Paleozoic
early Mesozoic bryophyte fossils
Issue Date: 31-May-2016
Publisher: Bryophytes from Indian Amber
Citation: 1-15 p.
Abstract: Cambay amber originates fromthe warmest period of the Eocene, which is also well known for the appearance of early angiosperm-dominatedmegathermal forests. The humid climate of these forests may have triggered the evolution of epiphytic lineages of bryophytes; however, early Eocene fossils of bryophytes are rare. Here, we present evidence for lejeuneoid liverworts and pleurocarpous mosses in Cambay amber. The preserved morphology of the moss fossil is inconclusive for a detailed taxonomic treatment. The liverwort fossil is, however, distinctive; its zig-zagged stems, suberect complicate-bilobed leaves, large leaf lobules, and small, deeply bifid underleaves suggest a member of Lejeuneaceae subtribe Lejeuneinae (Harpalejeunea, Lejeunea, Microlejeunea).We tested alternative classification possibilities by conducting divergence time estimates based on DNA sequence variation of Lejeuneinae using the age of the fossil for corresponding age constraints. Consideration of the fossil as a stem group member of Microlejeunea or Lejeunea resulted in an Eocene to Late Cretaceous age of the Lejeuneinae crown group. This reconstruction is in good accordance with published divergence time estimates generated without the newly presented fossil evidence. Balancing available evidence, we describe the liverwort fossil as the extinct species Microlejeunea nyiahae, representing the oldest crown group fossil of Lejeuneaceae
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/5915
Appears in Collections:Journal Articles

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