Odontosoria marekgaltieri sp. nov. (Lindsaeaceae), a new fern from the early Miocene of the Czech Republic: First evidence of the genus in the fossil record
Abstract
A new fossil species Odontosoria marekgaltieri sp. nov. from the lower Miocene Most Basin, Czech Republic is presented. Main characteristics of frond and pinnule morphology, and especially reproductive organs with in situ spores show a relationship to the living fern genus Odontosoria Fée (Lindsaeaceae).
Odontosoria. marekgaltieri shows morphological similarity to living O. biflora, O. quadrypinnata and O. chinensis, but the presence of trilete spores excludes this fossil froma closer relationship. The other living species of Odontosoria show significant morphological differences from our fossils.
The present contribution represents the first description of the macrofossil species related to the extant genus Odontosoria and increases our knowledge about the Cenozoic ferns.