Klitzschophyllites, Aquatic Basal Eudicots (Ranunculales?) from the Upper Albian (Lower Cretaceous) of Northeastern Spain

• DOI: 10.1086/605117
• Publication Date: 2009-09-11T14:14:17Z
• Authors: Bernard Gomez; Clément Coiffard; Luis Miguel Sender; Carles Martín-Closas; Uxue Villanueva-A...; Javier Ferrer
• Keywords: Eudicots; Reticulate; Taphonomy; Sensu; Basal (medicine); Secondary growth

Klitzschophyllites choffatii (Saporta sensu Teixeira) emend. is reported from the upper Albian of Utrillas Formation at Plou locality, Teruel Province, northeastern Spain. The species shows obovate microphylls; dense, flabellate primary and secondary veins interconnected by fine, reticulate tertiary intersecting with an intramarginal vein; small glands in sinuses between triangular teeth. It exhibits more affinities basal eudicots (especially some Ranunculales) than monocots. Sedimentological taphonomic evidence, along morphofunctional features, supports a freshwater hydrophytic habit for K. choffatii.