Dicroidium (Zuberia) zuberi (Szajnocha) Archangelsky from exceptional Carnian leaf litters of the Ischigualasto Formation, westernmost Gondwana

Exceptional leaf litters from the Carnian Ischigualasto Formation, Argentina, reveal remarkable phenotypic plasticity in the fern-like plant Dicroidium (Zuberia) zuberi. Unlike previous hypostomatic records, these specimens exhibit thick, amphistomatic cuticles with sunken, randomly distributed stomata and papillae on epidermal cells, suggesting adaptability to environmental conditions. The study leveraged optical and scanning electron microscopy to analyze autochthonous or parauchthonous leaf accumulations preserved in abandoned fluvial channels, which also provided insights into the region's seasonal climate and post-biotic turnover (228.91 Ma). Palynological data further supports a humid environment that fostered this diverse vegetation after significant ecological changes.

Drovandi, J. M., Correa, G. A., Colombi, C. E., & Césari, S. N. (2021). Dicroidium (Zuberia) zuberi (Szajnocha) Archangelsky from exceptional Carnian leaf litters of the Ischigualasto Formation, westernmost Gondwana. Historical Biology, 34(7), 1260–1273. https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2021.1974017