Complex trichomes associated with foliar Odontopteris schlotheimii Brongniart, Manebach type locality, Germany: Implication for taxonomy

Abstract

Reported for the first time is a physical association of complex-structured trichomes with foliar Odontopteris schlotheimii Brongniart, 1831 from the type Manebach Formation, Germany. This is based on examining rock matrices dissolved by hydrofluoric acid of bipinnate and pinnate material. These trichomes and their inferred dense distribution, most significantly, are directly comparable with those of specimens of Odontopteris cantabrica Wagner, 1969 from the Canadian Sydney Coalfield used as index fossil to establish the Cantabrian Substage. This result is one strong argument that invites comparison with O. schlotheimii, in addition to the acknowledged common pinnule morphologies of O. cantabrica and O. schlotheimii. Additionally, trichomes are not observed in samples of the rock matrix of a fragmentary axis associated with Lesquereux’ specimen of O. schlotheimii (Southern Anthracite Field, eastern Pennsylvania, USA). Results of the trichomic comparison and taxonomic implication thereof will be discussed in a future paper.