Anatomically preserved Glossopteris stems with attached leaves from the central Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica

Stems and buds of Glossopteris skaarensis Pigg and buds of G. schopfii Pigg from the Permian Skaar Ridge locality in the central Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica demonstrate the first anatomically preserved glossopterids known with stem/leaf attachment. Stems of G. skaarensis are 1-12 mm in diameter (X̄=3.1 mm) with a broad pith, poorly defined primary xylem, and a zone of secondary xylem up to 6mm thick. Buds of G. skaarensis have leaves with narrow lateral laminae and a thickened midrib containing a wide lacuna, delicate vascular strands, and a prominent hypodermis. In contrast, buds of G. schopfii have uniformly thick leaves with prominent, circular vascular bundle sheaths. These anatomical details are used to reconstruct individual types of glossopterid plants, providing new information toward understanding the ecology and evolution of this group of Permian seed plants. -from Authors