Open AccessEndobeuthos paleosum gen. et sp. nov., fossil flowers of uncertain affinity from mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber
Author(s) -
George Poinar,
Kenton L. Chambers
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of the botanical research institute of texas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2644-1608
pISSN - 1934-5259
DOI - 10.17348/jbrit.v12.i1.923
Subject(s) - calyx , sepal , petal , stamen , biology , botany , cretaceous , pollen , anatomy , paleontology
Endobeuthos paleosum gen. et sp. nov. is based on 6 flowers preserved together in a single block of mid-Cretaceous amber from Myanmar (Burma). The calyx is composed of ca. 50+ small, helically arranged sepals. The corolla consists of 5 imbricate petals forming a sheath-like structure that is usually concealed within the calyx. The petal tips are often spreading and exserted from the calyx. There are numerous stamens, each of which consists of a filament and an enlarged anther connective with a single lateral, bisporangiate theca. Dehiscence is extrorse. The tips of 3 or 4 styles are visible, indicating that the flowers are bisexual. The fossils possess unique features that prevent assignment to any modern family. However, the numerous sepals and stamens and a thickened anther connective may suggest an association of E. paleosum with the family Dilleniaceae.