The Middle Triassic Megafossil Flora of the Basin Creek Formation, Nymboida Coal Measures, New South Wales, Australia. Part 5. The Genera Lepidopteris, Kurtziana, Rochipteris and Walkomiopteris

摘要

Leaves attributed to the gymnosperm genera Lepidopteris, Kurtziana and Rochipteris and the leaf sedis incertae Walkomiopteris eskensis (Walkom) Holmes and Anderson gen. et comb. nov. are described from two quarries in the Basin Creek Formation of the Middle Triassic Nymboida Coal Measures. Based on extensive collections of leaves, the morpho-genera Lepidopteris and Kurtziana each reveal a wide range of variation. Lepidopteris is divided into three 'morpho-species complexes' with intergrading forms based on L. madagascariensis, L. africana and L. stormbergensis and a new species L. dissitipinnula apparently without links to the three complexes. The Lepidopteris fertile organs, Peltaspermum and Antevsia are present. Kurtziana is separated into two 'morpho-species complexes' based on K. brandmayri and K. cacheutensis. Rochipteris is a diverse genus but of very rare occurrence. Six new species are described; R. obtriangulata and R. tubata display a close-spaced spiral or whorled arrangement. Seven leaves of R. incisa have been examined. R. sinuosa, R. pusilla and R. nymboidensis are represented by single dispersed leaves. Walkomiopteris eskensis (Walkom) gen. et comb. nov. is redescribed from additional Nymboida material.