Glossopteris occidentalis white emended: Geographic and biostratigraphic implications

Abstract

Analysis of the type-material and new specimens from the Morro do Papaléo outcrop, in Rio Grande do Sul State, permitted the reevaluation of Glossopteris occidentalis White, 1908. The specific diagnosis is emended to include new features related to venation (midrib structure, angles of emergence and divergence of secondary veins, mesh shapes and vein density) and leaf shape. The emended diagnosis better discriminates this species from other members of the genus. The geographic distribution of this species, originally constrained to localities in southern Santa Catarina State, is now extended to Morro do Papaléo and Faxinal Mine localities in Rio Grande do Sul. Glossopteris occidentalis, considered previously to be restricted to the Rio Bonito Formation, has now been recorded in the uppermost part of the Itararé Group, extending its range from middle Sakmarian to early Artinskian. © 2010 by the Sociedade Brasileira de Paleontologia.