中国科学院南京地质古生物研究所机构知识库

The Lower Jurassic Hsiangchi Formation in western Hubei, China is well known for its abundant and diverse fossil ferns, including Marattiaceae, Osmundaceae, Matoniaceae, Dipteridaceae and Dicksoniaceae. Through recent collections and investigation of the fossil plants in this area, an autochthonous/hypoautchthonous fern community has been recognised from the upper part of the Hsiangchi Formation in Zigui, Hubei. This community is dominated by the matoniaceous ferns of the genus Phlebopteris; Dipteridaceous ferns mainly characterised by Dietyophyllum rank second in abundance. Marattiaceae (Marattia) and Osmundaceae (Todites and Cladophlebis) are often dispersed spatially among the dominant ferns, whereas the small and slender herbaceous Dicksoniaceae, characterised by Coniopteris, are sparsely distributed within the community. This fern community colonised the fluviatile peat-forming environment and indicates a tropical to subtropical climate with warm and humid conditions which is favourable for the peat accumulation. It is also a representative fern community recognised from the Southern Floristic Province in China during late Early Jurassic period. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.