Abstract
The coal horizons of the Middle Jurassic Hojedk Formation of East-Central Iran are fossiliferous, bearing numerous well-preserved fossil plants, comparable to the Shemshak Group/Formation in the Alborz Mountains in Northern Iran. Here we present two recently discovered fossil taxa from the Middle Jurassic Hojedk Formation of the Tabas Block (Central Iran). Based on their distinct morphologies, impression/compression specimens can be assigned to Phlebopteris dunkeri (Schenk) Schenk (Palaeontographica 23: 157–163, 1875) and P. woodwardii Leckenby (Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society 20 (1–2): 74–82, 1864), belonging to Matoniaceae. This is the first record of these two taxa in Iran. Taxa belonging to Equisetaceae, Marattiaceae, Dipteridaceae, Schizaeaceae, Dicksoniaceae, Caytoniales, Bennettitales, Cycadales and Podozamitaceae were observed as accompanying taxa in the studied section. Ecology comparison of the Hojedk Formation plant fossils with the extant relatives of the fossil plant taxa occurring in these deposits indicates accumulation of the host strata under a moist warm (tropical to subtropical) climate during the Middle Jurassic.
Highlights
The Triassic-Jurassic sedimentary successions of Iran are well known for their wealth of fossil plants and many palaeobotanists have studied these plant-bearing deposits
This paper discusses two taxa, which are reported for the first time from the Middle Jurassic Hojedk Formation of the Tabas Block, Central Iran (Fig. 1) and provides their description and a short review of the palaeoecology of their families and families of associated taxa in the Middle Jurassic deposits of the source area
This is the first report of Phlebopteris dunkeri and P. woodwardii (Matoniaceae) from Iran despite the fact that previous palaeobotanical studies on Iranian plant-bearing formations already recognized diverse floras from numerous localities
Summary
The Triassic-Jurassic sedimentary successions of Iran are well known for their wealth of fossil plants and many palaeobotanists have studied these plant-bearing deposits. This paper discusses two taxa, which are reported for the first time from the Middle Jurassic Hojedk Formation of the Tabas Block, Central Iran (Fig. 1) and provides their description and a short review of the palaeoecology of their families and families of associated taxa in the Middle Jurassic deposits of the source area. This is the first report of Phlebopteris dunkeri and P. woodwardii (Matoniaceae) from Iran despite the fact that previous palaeobotanical studies on Iranian plant-bearing formations already recognized diverse floras from numerous localities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
