Cattomia E.M.Friis, K.R.Pedersen et P.R.Crane

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN001965

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:1965

Authors: E. M. Friis, K. R. Pedersen & P. R. Crane

Rank: genus

Reference: Friis, E. M., Pedersen, K. R. & Crane, P. R. (2013): New diversity among chlamydospermous seeds from the Early Cretaceous of Portugal and North America. – International Journal of Plant Sciences 174(3): 530–558.

Page of description: 536

Type

Original diagnosis/description

Seeds small and orthotropous. Integument apically extended into long micropylar tube that extends through the seed envelope. Micropylar tube lined by an outer and inner epidermis. Micropylar canal open apically and closed farther down by cells of the inner epidermis that expand radially toward the center of the canal. Seed envelope trapezoidal in lateral view, in transverse section distinctly four angled, except at the base, where it is circular to elliptical. Surface of seed envelope with weakly developed transverse ridges forming a rugulate pattern. Seed envelope extended in the micropylar region into short, collar-like central projection that supports the micropylar tube and into four lateral, narrow, straight, and upright projections. Micropylar tube interlocked with seed envelope proximally by small pits in its outer surface that correspond to oblique, upwardly directed papillae on seed envelope. Inner epidermis of seed envelope composed of relatively large, longitudinally elongated polygonal cells with thin cell walls. Outer epidermis of seed envelope composed of narrow, longitudinally elongated cells with a thick cuticle. Seed envelope with an inner sclerenchyma zone and an outer zone of nonlignified cells. Sclerenchyma zone with an inner layer of narrow, transversely elongated cells and an outer layer, one or two cells deep, of shorter, longitudinally elongated cells. Inner sclerenchyma cells apically enlarged and radially extended. Outer zone with narrow, longitudinally elongated tubular cells that are most pronounced near the base and apex and over the four longitudinal angles of seed envelope, where they form the four apical and lateral projections. At the base of the seed the tubular cells form a skirt-like sheet.

Etymology

Anagram of Tomcatia to emphasize the close similarity between the two genera.