Oldest Record of Trimeniaceae from Early Cretaceous Japan
Author Information
Author(s): Yamada Toshihiro, Nishida Harufumi, Umebayashi Masayoshi, Uemura Kazuhiko, Kato Masahiro
Primary Institution: Kanazawa University
Hypothesis
The study aims to identify the oldest known occurrence of Trimeniaceae and discuss its character evolution and biogeography.
Conclusion
The fossil seed indicates that seed coat characters were conserved for over 100 million years in Trimeniaceae and suggests secondary origins of certain vascular structures.
Supporting Evidence
- The fossil seed is the oldest known for the Trimeniaceae family.
- Seed coat structures have been conserved for about 100 million years.
- The fossil provides evidence of Trimeniaceae in the Northern Hemisphere during the Early Cretaceous.
Takeaway
Scientists found a very old seed from a plant family called Trimeniaceae, showing that some of its features have stayed the same for a really long time.
Methodology
The fossil seed was sectioned in planes tangential to the raphe, and extant seeds were sectioned in planes parallel to the raphe.
Limitations
The study is based on a single fossil seed, which may not represent the full diversity of the family.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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