New anthrophyopsis fossil material discovered in Sichuan Basin, China
Recently, an international research team led by Prof. Wang Yongdong from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology of the Chinese Academy of Science (NIGPAS) discovered several well-preserved fossil material belonging to Anthrophyopsis from the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Guangyuan City of northern Sichuan Basin, China.
Their findings were published in Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology.
Prof. Mihai E. Popa from University of Bucharest of Romania and Prof. Zhang Tingshan's team from Southwest Petroleum University of China were also involved as key members in the study.
The researchers conducted a comprehensive systematic study of Anthrophyopsis and investigated the significance of its tempo-spatial distribution pattern.
"The newly collected specimens show various outlines with depths of incision for different leaves, pointing to transitional shapes between entire and lobed margins," said Prof. Wang. This enabled a detailed and updated morphological diagnosis emendation of this fossil at genus and species level.
Then, the researchers conducted a new reconstruction of its type species Anthrophyopsis crassinervis with emphasis on its heteromorphic leaf morphologies.
Fig.1 Anthrophyopsis crassinervis from Guangyuan area of northern Sichuan Basin, South China, showing almost entire margin with crenation. Credit: NIGPAS
Fig. 2 Anthrophyopsis crassinervis from Guangyuan area of northern Sichuan Basin, South China, showing thick midrib with secondary vein meshes and leaf margin with deep incisions. Credit: NIGPAS
Fig. 4 Palaeogeographic map showing the distribution of genus Anthrophyopsis around the world during the Late Triassic and its suggested migration routes. Credit: NIGPAS