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Miospore evolution from the Ordovician to the Silurian

P Steemans1

  • 1Services de Paléobotanique, Paléopalynologie et de Micropaléontologie, Université de Liège, Allée du six Août, Bât. B-18, Parking 40, B-4000 1, Liège, Belgium

Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology
|February 13, 2001
PubMed

Insights

The definition of cryptospores (spores from embryophytes) was refined. Cryptospore biodiversity declined significantly during the Telychian and Sheinwoodian stages, linked to marine transgressions.

Area of Science:

  • Paleobotany
  • Palynology
  • Stratigraphy

Background:

  • The term cryptospore has been broadly applied to various palynomorphs.
  • Understanding cryptospore evolution is key to reconstructing early terrestrial plant life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To redefine the term cryptospore to exclusively include spores from embryophytes.
  • To analyze the evolutionary trends and biodiversity changes in cryptospore assemblages through geological time.

Main Methods:

  • Revision of the definition of cryptospores.
  • Analysis of published cryptospore assemblages from the Llanvirn to early Llandovery epochs.
  • Correlation of palynological data with paleogeographic events.

Main Results:

  • A revised definition restricts cryptospores to embryophyte-derived spores, excluding enigmatic palynomorphs.
  • Cryptospore assemblages show slow evolution from Llanvirn to early Llandovery.
  • Significant biodiversity loss in cryptospores occurred during the Telychian and Sheinwoodian stages.
  • These changes correlate with early Llandovery marine transgressions, not the Hirnantian glaciation.

Conclusions:

  • The revised definition clarifies the scope of cryptospore studies.
  • Early land plant evolution, particularly during the Silurian, was significantly impacted by environmental changes like sea-level fluctuations.
  • Miospore assemblage modifications reflect major vegetation shifts influenced by paleogeography.

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