GEOCHEMICAL SUPPORT FOR A CLIMBING HABIT WITHIN THE PALEOZOIC SEED FERN GENUS MEDULLOSA

摘要: AbstractA long-standing problem in paleobotany is the accurate identification of growth habits and statures fossil plants. Tissue-specific analysis stable carbon isotope ratios plant fossils can provide an independent perspective on this issue. Lignin, a fundamental biopolymer providing structural support tissues second most abundant organic material plants, 13C depleted by several parts per thousand, averaging 4.1‰, relative to other constructional materials (e.g. cellulose). With isotopic difference, biochemical composition ancient plants (and inferred stature) be interrogated using microscale situ between different fossils. We applied technique well-preserved specimen Late Paleozoic seed Medullosa, extinct genus with variety that includes enigmatic yet small-stemmed species widely found calcium carbonate concretions (“coal balls”) Pe...