Volume 26 1985-1989

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Clarification of the genus Palaeovittaria Feistmantel
(BERNARD PRICE INSTITUTE FOR PALAEONTOLOGICAL RESEARCH, 1987-08-06) Kovacs-Endrody, E
Ever since the genera Palaeovittaria and Noeggerathiopsis were first established it seems that separating them has posed problems for many palaeobotanists, yet the original definitions noted clear and unambiguous generic differences in their leaf venation; these characters are now applied in the identification of South African leaves. In Palaeovittaria leaves the veins run toward the margin over the entire length of the lamina, and they radiate fan-wise in the apical portion. In Noeggerathiopsis, on the other hand, the veins appear to run parallel to the margins over the whole length of the lamina, from base to apex, and they intersect the margin only in the apical region. Interpretation of the chronostratigraphic distribution of Palaeovittaria Feistmantel, 1876 has also been problematical. It has been regarded on the one hand as a genus restricted to late Permian floras, and on the other as a very early member of Glossopteris floras, thus implying an early Permian age. The reason for this discrepancy is discussed. It is concluded that by direct interpretation of the available data, Palaeovittaria must be regarded as a late Permian taxon.