New sphenophyllaleans from the Pennsylvanian of the Czech Republic

Two new species of sphenophyllalean cones, Bowmanites myriophyllus sp. nov. and Bowmanites priveticensis sp. nov., from the Radnice Basin of the Czech Republic are proposed. The most characteristic feature is the sporangiophore having lanceolate expansions bearing sporangia. Strobili were studied morphologically, including cuticle analysis and examination of in situ spores. Both new species yielded monolete spores of the Laevigatosporites/Latosporites-type. A review is given of the dispersed and in situ Laevigatosporites/Latosporites spores of sphenopsid origin and their parent plants are compared. A new species of the genus Sphenophyllum Brongniart, Sphenophyllum priveticense sp. nov. is proposed and the diagnosis of Sphenophyllum myriophyllum Crepin is emended. Some B. myriophyllus cones are born on vegetative axes with leaves of the Sphenophyllum myriophyllum-type and some B. priveticensis cones are connected with stems and leaves of S. priveticense. Epidermal structures of the leaves (hook-like structures at the end of lobes of leaves) of both Sphenophyllum species could enable plants to climb. The stratigraphical interval of all four species is the Whetstone volcanic horizon, directly overlying the Lower Radnice Coal, Radnice Member, Kladno Formation, Lower Bolsovian, Pennsylvanian. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.