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Mytilaria boglei
Mytilaria boglei M.E. Collinson, Manchester, V. Wilde Abh. Senckenberg. Naturf. Ges., 570: 25. 29 Jun 2012
- Name
- Mytilaria boglei
- Rank
- Species
- Generic Name
- [Genus] Mytilaria
- Authors (Pub.)
- Collinson M. E.
Manchester S. R.
Wilde V.
- Publication
- Fossil fruits and seeds of the Middle Eocene Messel biota, Germany [2012/6]
- Journal
- Abhandlungen [herausgegeben von] der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft
- Volume
- 570
- Page number
- 25
- Year
- 2012
- Parent Taxon
- [Genus] Mytilaria
- Fossil Status
- fruits
- Stratigraphy
- Lutetian
- Location
- Messel, Landkreis Darmstadt-Dieburg, Hesse, Germany
- Paleoregion
- Eurasia (Europe)
Data for Holotypus
- Repository
- Senckenberg Naturhistorische Sammlungen Frankfurt, Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Repository Number
- SM.B Me 18788
- Diagnosis
- Infructescences on thick peduncles axillary to palmately lobed entire-margined leaves with long petioles abruptly thickened at junction with lamina. Infructescence irregularly globular, composed of a stout central axis showing individual units in different developmental stages from top to bottom. Fully developed fruits are basal, but difficult to analyze because of preservation. Middle part of infructescence with numerous spirally arranged two-partite diamond- shaped pyramidal units diminishing in size distally [Lengths of immature diamond shape units 2.3 (n = 3) to 4.3 mm in mature part]. Each pyramidal unit has a transverse slit and a vertical groove and is embedded in a low but distinct smooth rim. Transverse slit of individual units perpendicular to the central axis of the infructescences. Apical part of central infructescence axis shows vertically elongate depressions, organized in the same spiral pattern as the bipartite units below but lacking bipartite structures inside. Styles are not obvious. Only a few of the gynoecia have enlarged into fruits although 12 diamond units preserved in face view in the upper part, indicating at least 24 potential fruits on the axes. Matured portions of the infructescences consist of enlarged woody dome-shaped units. In at least one case two such units are enclosed over their basal 1/3 by a thick cup-like structure with a flared rim.
