The cycadalean megasporophyll Dioonitocarpidium in the Carnian (Late Triassic) flora of Lunz am See, Austria

Abstract

Twenty-seven specimens from the Carnian flora of Lunz am See, Austria, belonging to Dioonitocarpidium, a genus to accommodate cycadalean megasporophylls, have been examined. In agreement with older reports, two clearly separable species have been identified, viz. Dioonitocarpidium titzei (Krasser 1917) Pott, comb. nov., and Dioonitocarpidium liliensternii Kräusel 1953, emend. Pott. Both species required a revision after examination of the original specimens and the related bibliography. For the first time, epidermal anatomy is described for a Dioonitocarpidium species from cuticle remains. The sterile foliage of the Dioonitocarpidium parent plant is discussed and giant cycad-like foliage assigned to Nilssonia is identified as the most plausible option. The putative assignment of the Dioonitocarpidium megasporophylls to the Cycadales is also discussed.