Variations in angiosperm leaf vein density have implications for interpreting life form in the fossil record

dc.contributor.authorCrifò, Camilla
dc.contributor.authorCurrano, Ellen D.
dc.contributor.authorBaresch, A.
dc.contributor.authorJaramillo, C.
dc.date.accessioned2015-02-25T18:30:23Z
dc.date.available2015-02-25T18:30:23Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.description.abstractIt is often difficult to interpret plant life form and position within a forest based on fossils of isolated plant organs. Here we propose leaf vein density as a new tool to interpret fossil angiosperm life form, and in particular to trace the emergence of angiosperms as members of the canopy. Angiosperm leaf vein density was analyzed in two tropical forests and one temperate forest. Comparisons of vein density between canopy and understory plants showed that vein density variation mainly reflected the position of the leaf in the canopy, independent of ecological strategy (shade tolerant versus sun demanding), phylogenetic position, and site (tropical versus temperate). Vein density values of a standing forest were reflected in its leaf litter, suggesting that fossil leaf assemblages are representative of past forest ecosystems. Comparison of vein density distributions of Cretaceous–Paleocene paleofloras (132.35–58.0 Ma) to those of a modern tropical leaf litter assemblage suggests that angiosperms emerged in forest canopies by at least 58 Ma.
dc.format.extent919–922
dc.identifier0091-7613
dc.identifier.citationCrifò, Camilla, Currano, Ellen D., Baresch, A., and Jaramillo, C. 2014. "<a href="https://stri-apps.si.edu/docs/publications/pdfs/Crifo_2014_Geology_LVD.pdf">Variations in angiosperm leaf vein density have implications for interpreting life form in the fossil record</a>." <em>Geology</em>, 42, (10) 919–922. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1130/G35828.1">https://doi.org/10.1130/G35828.1</a>.
dc.identifier.issn0091-7613
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10088/24629
dc.relation.ispartofGeology 42 (10)
dc.titleVariations in angiosperm leaf vein density have implications for interpreting life form in the fossil record
dc.typearticle
sro.description.unitSTRI
sro.identifier.doi10.1130/G35828.1
sro.identifier.itemID127977
sro.identifier.refworksID38861
sro.identifier.urlhttps://stri-apps.si.edu/docs/publications/pdfs/Crifo_2014_Geology_LVD.pdf

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