Early Jurassic bennettitalean reproductive structures of Romania

Abstract

The Romanian Early Jurassic (Hettangian–Sinemurian) floras represent a key element of the Eurosinian Province in which the Williamsoniaceae (Bennettitales) are well represented by vegetative remains (leaves, stems, roots) and reproductive structures. Up to the present, Early Jurassic bennettitalean reproductive structures have been found at only two localities in Romania: Anina and Doman. These localities belong to the Resiţa Basin, Getic Nappe, South Carpathians, Romania, with Anina considered to be the best Romanian Early Jurassic locality in terms of diversity and preservation of fossil plants and animals, i.e. a fossil Lagerstatte. This paper deals with all bennettitalean reproductive structures identified to date. These belong to the Steierdorf Formation, Valea Tereziei Member, and are Sinemurian in age. In total, 32 rare hand specimens (compressions and casts) have been studied and the following taxa identified: Williamsonia banatica Krasser, W. latecostata Semaka, Bennetticarpus sp. A and sp. B, Cycadolepis sp., Weltrichia alfredii Krasser, Weltrichia givulescui Popa, 2001, Weltrichia johannae sp. nov., Weltrichia antonii sp. nov., Weltrichia steierdorfensis sp. nov., Weltrichia sp. A and Weltrichia sp. B. The systematic affinities of these taxa are discussed, as well as aspects related to their stratigraphy and palaeocology.