Plant-insect interactions in the fossil flora of the Bajo de Veliz Formation (Gzhelian-Asselian): San Luis, Argentina

Abstract

This article presents a detailed description of insect trace fossils found in the megafloraof the Gzhelian-Asselian of the Bajo de Veliz. Plant-insect interactions are analyzed on212 specimens of leaves from this flora, characterized by glossopterid (Gangamopteris,Euryphyllum, Glossopteris), cordaitales, sphenophytes, pteridosperms, lycophytes, conifers andseeds. Marginal feeding, surface and oviposition traces and galling predominate, as comparedto the poor representation of piercing and sucking traces. Necrotic tissue was identifiedon leaves of the genera Euryphyllum, Gangamopteris, Glossopteris and bipinnate frondsof Botrychiopsis, suggesting that damage was produced while the plants were alive. The firstreported evidence of galling for Botrychiopsis and piercings traces in Gangamopteris leavesfor Gondwana are described.