A MIDDLE DEVONIAN PLANT LAGERSTäTTE FROM NORTH XINJIANG, CHINA

An extensive new fossil flora has been discovered from a siltstone / mudstone unit within the Hujiersite Formation, Hoxtolgay, Xinjiang, China. It contains a variety of mega- and micro-fossils preserved as compression and allows us a modern reconsideration and expansion of this palaeogeographically important flora. The age of the flora is confirmed as late Mid Devonian (Givetian) based on palynology. Members of the flora studied so far include diverse species of the lycopsid genera Leclercqia, Haskinsia, Colpodexylon, Hoxtolgayia and Drepanophycus, the zosterophyll Serrulacaulis, the iridopteridalean Compsocradus, the progymnosperm Aneurophyton,Tetraxylopteris, plus incertae sedis plants Taeniocrada, Tsaia, and Blasaria. The microflora is dominated by Cymbosporites and has megaspore Verrucisporites. The assemblage is dominated by lycopsids, with the general overall composition closely related to that of the Middle Devonian of Venezuela and New York State but significantly different from that from South China (Yunnan). The distinct members of the Hujiersite flora are a species of Leclercqia that have tiny axes and 6-7 tipped leaves with a hooked central segment and might have a climbing habit, and a homosporous arborescent lycopsid Hoxtolgayia that has stems up to 90 mm wide.