Abstract

The zygopterid fern Etapteris leclercqii sp. n. is described from Lower Pennsylvanian age coal balls from the Lewis Creek, Kentucky, locality. Isolated petioles extend up to 15.0 cm in length and 5.0 mm in diam; no lateral axes have been observed. The clepsydroid-shaped petiole trace is characterized by lateral arms that sharply taper and by the production of peripheral loops prior to the separation of pinna traces from the stele. Large irregularly shaped multicellular hairs are randomly scattered over the surface of the petioles. When compared with other currently recognized zygopterid ferns, E. leclercqii appears most similar to Metaclepsydropsis duplex. Based on the configuration of the leaf trace and the occurrence of peripheral loops, it is suggested that E. leclercqii may represent the most primitive species of the genus known to date.

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