Nilssoniopteris Explained

Nilssoniopteris is an extinct form genus of leaves belonging to the Bennettitales. Leaves are slender and often entire-margined (smooth-edged), though some species have dissected leaves with numerous small segments extending down to the rachis of the leaf.^{[1] [2]} Nilssoniopteris-like leaves are distinguished by their syndetocheilic stomata, indicating bennettitalean affinities. Similar "taeniopterid" leaves are placed in the genus Nilssonia if their stomata are instead haplocheilic (indicating cycad affinities), or Taeniopteris if the cuticle is not preserved.^[3] Leaves of Nilssoniopteris vittata from the Middle Jurassic of England are associated with bisexual Williamsoniella reproductive structures.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Pott. Christian. Krings. Michael. Kerp. Hans. 2007. First Record of Nilssoniopteris (Gymnospermophyta, Bennettitales) from the Carnian (upper Triassic) of Lunz, Lower Austria. Palaeontology. en. 50. 5. 1299–1318. 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2007.00704.x. 129403194 . 1475-4983. free.
2. Cleal. Christopher J.. Rees. P. McAllister. Zijlstra. Gea. Cantrill. David J.. 2006. A clarification of the type of Nilssoniopteris Nathorst (fossil Gymnospermophyta, Bennettitales). Taxon. en. 55. 1. 219–222. 10.2307/25065546. 25065546. 1874/307500. 86136067 . 1996-8175. free.
3. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert. Johanna H. A.. Pott. Christian. Cleal. Christopher J.. Zijlstra. Gea. 2017-02-01. Differentiation of the fossil leaves assigned to Taeniopteris, Nilssoniopteris and Nilssonia with a comparison to similar genera. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. en. 237. 100–106. 10.1016/j.revpalbo.2016.11.009. 0034-6667.
4. Pott . Christian . McLoughlin . Stephen . 2014-06-01 . Divaricate growth habit in Williamsoniaceae (Bennettitales): unravelling the ecology of a key Mesozoic plant group . Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments . 94 . 2 . 307–325 . 10.1007/s12549-014-0157-9 . 84440045.