Two new genera of early Tracheophyta (Zosterophyllaceae) from the upper Silurian–Lower Devonian of Victoria, Australia

Abstract

Two diminutive new taxa of the family Zosterophyllaceae, Parazosterophyllum timsiae gen. et sp. nov. and Gippslandites minutus gen. et sp. nov., are described from the upper Silurian–Lower Devonian of Victoria, Australia. No internal anatomy was preserved in either. It is the first time that new plant genera have been described from either the lower plant assemblage of Ghin Ghin Road near Yea or the Boola Siltstone at Tyers. The relevant stratigraphy is reevaluated, with a brief discussion concerning the interconnectivity of the Victorian with South Chinese Plate floras. Tentative explanations for the terrestrial source of Parazosterophyllum timsiae and Gippslandites minutus are presented, based on palaeocurrent flow and landmass positions from other workers.Fearghus R. McSweeney FGS [fearghus.mcsweeney@rmit.edu.au], School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia; Jeff Shimeta [jeff.shimeta@rmit.edu.au], Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia; John J.S. Buckeridge [john.buckeridge@rmit.edu.au], Earth & Oceanic Systems Group, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Australia and Museum Victoria, Carlton, Melbourne, Australia.