Bicatia rugosa E.M.Friis, K.R.Pedersen et P.R.Crane

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN002869

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:2869

Authors: E. M. Friis, K. R. Pedersen & P. R. Crane

Rank: species

Genus: Bicatia E.M.Friis, K.R.Pedersen et P.R.Crane

Reference: Friis, E. M., Pedersen, K. R. & Crane, P. R. (2014): Welwitschioid diversity in the Early Cretaceous: evidence from fossil seeds with pollen from Portugal and eastern North America. – Grana 53(online)(3): 175–196.

Page of description: 187

Illustrations or figures: figs 8–10

Types

Original diagnosis/description

As for the genus with the following additions: Seed narrow to broadly elliptical in outline with pointed apex and rounded to pointed base. Lateral wings not well-developed (or not well-preserved). Surface of seed envelope rugose with irregular, transversely oriented, sometimes anastomosing, ridges. Median part of both faces raised, but lacking distinct midrib. Transverse ridges usually divide over the median ridge. Outer cells of the epidermis longitudinally aligned.

Etymology

From the irregular transverse ribs that give the surface of the seed envelope a distinctly rugose appearance (Lat. rugosus for ‘wrinkled/rugose’).

Stratigraphy

Cretaceous, Lower Cretaceous, Albian
Basal part of Subzone IIB, Potomac Group; early–middle Albian

Locality

United States
Puddledock locality, Tarmac Lone Star Industries sand and gravel pit, located south of Richmond and east of the Appomattox River in Prince George County, Virginia (37° 15′ 52″ N; 77° 22′ 10″ W)