Frenelopsis antunesii sp. nov., a new cheirolepidiaceous conifer from the Lower Cretaceous of Figueira da Foz Formation in western Portugal

Mendes, Mário Miguel; Kvaček, Jiřı́

doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2022.104643

Cited by 11 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 38 publications

(58 reference statements)

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“…Salinity tolerance is a complex trait consisting of the ability of plants to grow in saline environments. Saline‐tolerant plants (halophytes) appear to be present as early as the Devonian (Channing & Edwards, 2009); however, the fossil record of halophytes is often based on the sedimentary context indicating a marine influence (Vakrahmeev, 1991; Gomez et al ., 2002; Mendes et al ., 2023) rather than more direct evidence based on fossil plant functional traits. Stable carbon isotopic analysis of leaf compression fossils has been used to indicate likely salinity gradients among fossil plant taxa from the same depositional setting (Nguyen Tu et al ., 1999) with greater discrimination against C 13 (less negative 13 C values) used to indicate higher salinity sub‐environments.…”

Section: Whole Plant Functional Traits Applied To Fossilsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2). The extinct Cheirolepidiaceae conifers that were widespread in saline, arid, and humid environments in the Jurassic and Cretaceous (Gomez et al ., 2002; Mendes et al ., 2023) possess a number of potential CAM functional traits and may be a good target for further research. This syndrome of traits scored highly as paleo‐functional traits and moderately as ESE traits in our semi‐quantitative analysis (Fig.…”

Section: Fossil Leaf Functional Traitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Functional traits of fossil plants

McElwain,

Matthaeus,

Barbosa

et al. 2024

New Phytologist

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SummaryA minuscule fraction of the Earth's paleobiological diversity is preserved in the geological record as fossils. What plant remnants have withstood taphonomic filtering, fragmentation, and alteration in their journey to become part of the fossil record provide unique information on how plants functioned in paleo‐ecosystems through their traits. Plant traits are measurable morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical, or phenological characteristics that potentially affect their environment and fitness. Here, we review the rich literature of paleobotany, through the lens of contemporary trait‐based ecology, to evaluate which well‐established extant plant traits hold the greatest promise for application to fossils. In particular, we focus on fossil plant functional traits, those measurable properties of leaf, stem, reproductive, or whole plant fossils that offer insights into the functioning of the plant when alive. The limitations of a trait‐based approach in paleobotany are considerable. However, in our critical assessment of over 30 extant traits we present an initial, semi‐quantitative ranking of 26 paleo‐functional traits based on taphonomic and methodological criteria on the potential of those traits to impact Earth system processes, and for that impact to be quantifiable. We demonstrate how valuable inferences on paleo‐ecosystem processes (pollination biology, herbivory), past nutrient cycles, paleobiogeography, paleo‐demography (life history), and Earth system history can be derived through the application of paleo‐functional traits to fossil plants.

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