Septomedullopitys Szei sp. nov., A New Gymnospermous Wood from Lower Wuchiapingian (Upper Permian) Continental Deposits of NW China, and its Implication for a Weakly Seasonal Humid Climate in Mid-Latitude NE Pangaea

Abstract

Septomedullopitys szei sp. nov. is described from the Wuchiapingian Wutonggou Formation of Tarlong Valley, southern Bogda Mountains, Xinjiang, in northwestern China. The stem has a heterogeneous pith ca. 15-20. mm in diameter, and containing numerous linear secretory ducts and parenchymatous bands. Primary xylem is endarch and the tracheids contain scalariform thickenings. Secondary xylem is of the Protophyllocladoxylon type. Comparisons with contemporaneous gymnospermous woods containing either heterogeneous pith with ducts or Protophyllocladoxylon-type secondary xylem from the Angara palaeocontinent indicate that the Tarlong stem represents a new Permian morphotaxon for the region. The presence of coprolites, borings, and spindle-shaped cavities within the stem suggests well-developed animal-plant-fungi interactions. The occurrence of numerous growth interruptions and absence of true growth rings within the stem suggest weak seasonality of annual precipitation. The interruptions suggest a humid climate with short-term, nonperiodic droughts

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

China; Coprolites; Fossil Wood; Late Permian; Palaeoclimate; Septomedullopitys Szei Sp. Nov.; Biological Characteristics; Fossil Record; Gymnosperm; Humid Environment; Interspecific Interaction; New Taxon; Paleoecology; Pangaea; Tree Ring; Wood; Xylem; Bogda Mountains; Tien Shan; Xinjiang Uygur

Geographic Coverage

NW China

Time Period

Permian

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0031-0182

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2014 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Aug 2014

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