Abstract
Inflorescences of Mauldinia (Lauraceae) are described from the middle Cenomanian Pauletian facies of Gard, Languedoc-Roussillon, south-eastern France. This is the first record of the genus from this part of Europe. Mauldinia sp. is described based on peduncles and lateral units. Isolated, slender peduncles show spirally arranged scars or rarely attached lateral units. Isolated lateral units consist of cladode-like structures showing up to seven flower/fruit scars. Some isolated fruits were found associated with peduncles and lateral units. Fruits are ovoid fruits contain a single, elongated seed. The pericarp consists of epicarp, mesocarp and endocarp. The seed consists of two cotyledons containing well-developed reserve cells. Mauldinia sp. from Gard differs from known Mauldinia species by having longer internodes along the peduncle and by the shape of the lateral units. Sedimentological and palaeontological evidence suggests that Mauldinia sp. from Gard grew in a protected, littoral environment with limited marine influence. This report provides new information to the relatively poorly known Cretaceous record of angiosperms in France. The occurrence of Mauldinia in the lower Upper Cretaceous of Gard corroborates the widespread occurrence of the genus in marginal littoral environments during the mid-Cretaceous.
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.
