Abstract
Abundant fossil cuticles are associated with megaspores in the Upper Cretaceous Whitemud beds of the southern Alberta plains and in the Whitemud Formation of the Cypress Hills. Form genera Spermatites Miner and Costatheca (Dijkstra) Hall are emended, and the new genus Carpotheca is described. The three genera are differentiated by shape and orientation of cuticular cells. Ten new species of seed cuticles are described. The affinity of Spermatites with the extant genus Juncus L. is reaffirmed, and it is suggested that Costatheca may be related to extant species of Butomus L. In the Whitemud, Costatheca is more abundant in the Alberta plains, whereas Spermatites and Carpotheca are better represented in the Cypress Hills. The fossil microfloral assemblage indicates that these beds were deposited in a continental, fluviatile to lacustrine environment, having a subtropical climate, in agreement with previous sedimentological, isotopic, and palynological investigations.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
