A new fossil angiosperm from the Early Cretaceous (early Aptian) of the Zhongkouzi Basin in the Beishan area, Northwest China

Abstract

ABSTRACT A new angiosperm is reported based on a leaf specimen from the Early Cretaceous Chijinpu Formation in Beishan area, Northwest China. The associated plants include abundant gymnosperms and ferns. The new angiosperm leaf, discovered for the first time in this region, has a cordate base and peltate excentric lamina attachment. Cluster analysis and morphological comparisons with other angiosperm leaves show that this specimen is more similar to peltate fossil leaves. However, the exact taxonomic position of this fossil leaf is uncertain due to limited characters, so that we established a new genus and species, Gansupeltata beishanensis gen. et sp. nov. The new finding adds to the diversity of early angiosperms, and further demonstrates that angiosperms have already evolved during the Early Cretaceous in the Beishan area, Northwest China.