Exceptionally Well‐Preserved Sporangia of the Permian Petrified Noeggerathialean Strobilus Discinites sinensis Wang
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Abstract
The discovery of a partially permineralized strobilus of Discinites sinensis Wang from the Early Permian Lower Shihhotse Formation of Shizuishan, Ningxia, northwest China, adds to our knowledge of the organization of noeggerathialean sporangia. The sporangia of D. sinensis consist of three parts: the wall, the tapetum, and the spore mass. The sporangial wall comprises a layer of thick‐walled cells. The tapetum consists of two to 10 layers of thin‐walled cells. A lining appears as the inner surface of the tapetum, enveloping the spore mass in the central area of the sporangia. The lining consists of parenchymatous cells, which are quite irregular in form, size, and arrangement. In situ spores are mostly still in tetrads. A ridgelike longitudinal stomium extends from the apex downward to the middle part of the sporangia. The cells are oriented in different directions on the two sides of the stomium, forming acute angles with each other toward the sporangial apex. As a whole, the sporangia are ellipsoidal in form, with a short, stout stalk at the base. Features of the sporangia are discussed in relation to those of other noeggerathialean sporangia.
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