Aquatic ferns from the Upper Cretaceous Loncoche Formation, Mendoza, central-western, Argentina

摘要: Herein, we report new fossil remains with marsileaceous affinity associated dispersed microspores corresponding to Crybelosporites, different types of massulae Salvianiaceae (Paleoazolla patagonica and Azolla circinata), a single megaspore assigned the genus Grapnelispora. These fossils were recovered from Late Cretaceous Loncoche Formation, at Calmu-Co section, Malargue Group, Northern Neuquen Basin, Mendoza, Argentina. The macrofossils include scattered leaflets, rhizomes, roots, sporocarp-like structure. They share characters members aquatic fern family Marsileaceae; however, based on preserved, they could not be placed within any extant or species; therefore, are better included fossil-taxon, Mendozaphyllum loncochense. Dispersed spores Crybelosporites pannuceus, also belonging Marsileaceae, entire section. Additionally, abundant isolated Salviniaceae, Grapnelispora loncochensis, identified plant bearing layer. presence Marsileaceae in Campanian–Maastrichtian extends towards north paleogeographical distribution Argentina, since previous records Patagonia. A fluvial deltaic environment lacustrine episodes is suggested by sedimentology lower middle parts section supported fresh water algae palynological association. This was probably optimum habitat for growth ferns related Salviniaceae explains its abundance studied sediments.