Leafy branches of Bothrodendron punctatum from the Westphalian D (Asturian) of Nova Scotia, Canada

Authors

  • Barry A. Thomas
  • Christopher J. Cleal
  • Erwin Zodrow

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4138/atlgeol.2010.001

Keywords:

Bothrodendron, ulodendroid scar, lycopsid, Nova Scotia, Westpahlian D, Asturian

Abstract

Specimens belonging to the lycopsid genus Bothrodendron are identified by distinctive shoots that have small superficial leaf scars. The species are distinguished on the basis of leaf scar shape and ornamentation on their stem surfaces. Of the two Pennsylvanian (upper Carboniferous) species, Bothrodendron minutifolium has been found sev‑ eral times with leafy shoots attached, but Bothrodendron punctatum has, until now, only been found as large leafless stems. The leafy specimen of Bothrodendron punctatum described here from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, is therefore the first of its kind to be found and reveals further evidence of the growth patterns and branch shedding of these relatively rare lycopsids. RÉSUMÉ Les spécimens appartenant au genre lycopside Bothrodendron peuvent être identifiés par leurs pousses distinctives, qui présentent de petites cicatrices foliaires superficielles. Les espèces se différencient par la forme des cicatrices et par l’ornementation de celles‑ci sur la surface de la tige. Sur les deux espèces du Pennsylvanien (Carbonifère supéri‑ eur), le Bothrodendron minutifolium a été trouvé plusieurs fois avec des pousses feuillues encore attachées, mais le Bothrodendron punctatum trouvé jusqu’à maintenant ne présentait que de larges tiges dépouillées de feuilles. Le spéci‑ men feuillu de Bothrodendron punctatum décrit ici depuis le Cap‑Breton, en Nouvelle‑Écosse (Canada), est donc le premier en son genre que l’on découvre; il fournit d’autres données de schémas de croissance et de chute de branches de ces lycopsides, qui sont plutôt rares.[Traduit par la redaction]

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Published

2010-02-15

How to Cite

Thomas, B. A., Cleal, C. J., & Zodrow, E. (2010). Leafy branches of Bothrodendron punctatum from the Westphalian D (Asturian) of Nova Scotia, Canada. Atlantic Geoscience, 46, Pages 1 – 6. https://doi.org/10.4138/atlgeol.2010.001

Issue

Vol. 46 (2010)

Section

Articles

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