The earlier Mesozoic floras of New Zealand

Abstract

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Mesozoic leaf genusTaeniopterisat Port Waikato and Clent Hills, New Zealand

“…However, description and illustration of the Greenland species show greater leaf length and greater frequency of furcation of secondary veins than do the Port Waikato specimens; furthermore the possible presence of sori in several illustrations of the former suggests that it may not belong to T aeniopteris at all. It should be noted that Arber's (1917) allocation of the Port Waikato population to T. arctica was based on a specimen subsequently found to have come from upper Cretaceous strata of Pakawau, Nelson (McQueen 1955) . The characteristics of the Port Waikato specimens conform very well to those described for T. daintreei from Victoria (Douglas 1969), and close similarity between floras of these two areas is more in keeping with known geologic relations than is Arber's suggestion of identity with an Arctic Cretaceous form.…”

“…DISCUSSION: Only one species of T aeniopteris is recognised from this locality, although the population is variable. Arber (1917) designated the Port Waikato species T. arctica Heer ( = Oleandra arctica Heer), a species described from the Cretaceous of Greenland (Heer 1874). However, description and illustration of the Greenland species show greater leaf length and greater frequency of furcation of secondary veins than do the Port Waikato specimens; furthermore the possible presence of sori in several illustrations of the former suggests that it may not belong to T aeniopteris at all.…”

“…It should be noted that the above description of T. thomsoniana is considerably expanded from that of Arber (1917), taking into account a greater range of variation than was described or figured by him.…”

“…The latter is confined to Torlesse rocks of the New Zealand Geosyncline whilst T. daintreei is found predominantly, perhaps only, in the Murihiku facies; and this provides another possible indication of different provenances for Murihiku and Torlesse strata. (T. daintreei was also recorded by Arber (1917) from the Malvern Hills; the specimen figured is not clear enough for identification to be verified but the possibility that T. daintreei occurs also in Torlesse rocks must for the time being be accepted. )…”

“…Along with the fern-like frond Cladophlebis, it is the most common early Mesozoic plant fossil, occurring as impressions or as carboni sed compressions. Arber (1917) published the only important work on T aeniopteris in New Zealand, recognising five local species. All valid and invalid names given to New Zealand members of the genus are listed by Mildenhall (1970).…”