Anatomically preserved Permian Noeggerathiopsis leaves from east Antarctica

Abstract

Permineralized Noeggerathiopsis leaves from the Permian Bainmedart Coal Measures of eastern Antarctica are characterized by prominent abaxial stomatiferous furrows protected by dense epidermal hairs. The leaves lack fibre bundles characteristic of Euramerian cordaitaleans, but are similar to late Palaeozoic Angaran cordaite leaves of the genus Rufloria. Other leaf morphological characters suggest a possible close relationship between Noeggerathiopsis and glossopterids. The striking similarity between the morphology and anatomy of Angaran and Gondwanan cordaites and several other plant groups suggests that not all of these features are convergent, and that some floristic interchange between t..