A remarkable extinct wood from Lusatia (central Europe) -Juniperoxylon schneiderianum sp. nov. with affinity to Cupressospermum saxonicum Mai

摘要

Systematic collection and anatomical investigation of autochthonous wood samples from Miocene brown coal deposits in Lusatia (central Europe; southern part of Brandenburg and the eastern part of Saxony) provided evidence of the extinct conifer Cupressospermum saxonicum. This fossil wood, which shares xylotomic characteristics with both Taxodiaceae and Cupressaceae s.s., is established as Juniperoxylon schneiderianum sp. nov. Progress in xylotomical research, supplemented by anatomical comparisons and classification of the organs in the context of the whole-plant concept in the Lusatian Miocene, requires the taxonomic revision of Cupressospermum wood which was formerly assigned to Juniperoxylon pachyderma. The whole-plant concept for Cupressospermum saxonicum is corrected and renewed briefly summarized. The regional and stratigraphic distribution of the conifer taxon is outlined at a glance. Examination of the spatial and temporal distribution of Juniperoxylon schneiderianum sp. nov. indicates that the records of autochthonous wood can be linked to coal-facies type X of the succession model for Miocene brown coals sensu Schneider, defined on the basis of macropetrographical analysis and successive cuticle associations. This successional stage represents a rheotrophic swamp with Cupressospermum partly under brackish marine influence.