1969 Williamsonia sp. HUMML, p. 349, Pl. VII, Fig. 15.
1990 Weltrichia sp. GIVULESCU, p. 2. Pl. 1, Fig. 1, Pl.
2, Fig. 1, 2.
2001 Weltrichia givulescui POPA, p. 70-72, Text-figs.
1-4, Pl. 1, Figs. 1-4.
Cycadopsida/Cycadeoidales/Williamsoniaceae
Diagnosis
Bennettitalean male reproductive structure with 16 radial
microsporophylls (rays) and a central cup, deeply depressed. The
sporophylls have a longitudinal rib on abaxial and adaxial sides,
entire margins, acute apices, they are fibrous and thick, and
each of them is continued centripetally with an appendage that
overlaps the adaxial, inner surface of the central cup. The central
cup is covered adaxially by small pustules, possibly attractant
bodies.
Discussion
The invariable occurrence of W. givulescui
especially with Zamites aninaensis, but also with Z.
schmiedelii and Z. andraeanus foliage suggests
that this structure belongs to one of these plants, most probably
to Z. aninaensis.
Occurrence
Anina, former Steierdorf, Resita Basin, Caras-Severin
County, Romania.
Phytostratigraphy
The stratigraphic position of W. givulescui
is always above the Coal seam No. 5, in all Anina coalfields.
Usually, it can be found within the roofs of the 6th or 7th
Coal seams in Anina area, especially for the Northern Coalfields
(Anina, Zona Noua and Bradet Coalfields). It is a typical
Sinemurian taxon and the reproductive structure of a Sinemurian
coal generator.
Paleoecology
Marsh edges.
Material
The material is compressed, with the lamina of the microsporophylls
often well preserved. The preservation is rather good, with structures
preserved transversally or longitudinally, in spite of polliniferous
sacs lacking.
References
Givulescu, R., 1990. Zwei neue Bennettitenblutten aus dem Unteren
Lias von Anina (Banat, Rumanien). Documenta Naturae, 59(2): 1-7.
Humml, H., 1969. Contributii la flora fosila a Liasicului inferior
de la Steierdorf-Anina. Studii si cercetari de geologie, geofizica,
geografie, Sectia geologie, 14(2): 385-404.
Popa, M.E., 2001. Aspects of Romanian Early Jurassic palaeobotany
and palynology. Part IV. A new species of Weltrichia
from Anina. Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai, Geologie, XLVI(2):
69-76.
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