Permineralized Calamitean Axes from the Upper Permian of Xinjiang, Northwest China and Its Paleoecological Implication

Abstract

Two anatomically preserved calamitean axes are reported for the first time from the Late Permian Wutonggou Formation in the southern Bogda Mountains, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Northwest China. Based on the anatomical features, these axes are assigned to Arthropitys. A new species Arthropitys taoshuyuanensis sp. nov. is established. A. taoshuyuanensis sp. nov. possesses a large pith and comprises large pith cavity and a narrow perimedullary zone at the nodes and diaphragms at the internodes. Carinal canals are circular and surrounded by a single layer of metaxylem tracheids. Secondary xylem is divided into interfascicular rays and fascicular wedges. Interfascicular rays are initially four to five cells wide and taper abruptly centrifugally. Fascicular wedge consists of thick-walled tracheids and thin-walled fascicular ray cells. Radial tracheid walls have uniseriate or biseriate circular pits, or scalariform pits. The absence of growth rings in the Arthropitys specimens indicates that they probably lived in the wetland area under stable annual temperature and water sufficient conditions.