Fossil Practical
The supplied specimen shows the following characteristics:-
1.The outermost surface of the stem trunk is covered by the persistent leaf bases.
2.There is a massive periderm zone formed by phellogen just beneath the leaf bases.
3.Periderm layer continues internally with a large cortex that surrounded the vascular tissues. It shows four
regions.
a) Outer cortex: The outer cortex is made up of alternate radial masses of thick and thin walled cells.
b) Middle cortex: It consists of delicate parenchymatous cells that are often destroyed.
c) Secretary zone: The zone is made up of intermingled large and small cells, many of which are
filled with a dark coloured substance.
d) Inner cortex:The inner cortex is homogenous and consists of simple parenchyma.
4.There are leaf traces in both middle and inner cortex.
5.The innermost core of the stem axis is stele. It is somewhat narrower in comparison to the massive cortex.
The stele is protostele with exarch and polyarch xylem.
6.A ring of cambium situated outside produce a narrow zone of secondary xylem. Both primary and secondary
xylem are made up of scalariform and spiral tracheids.
……………..Hence, the supplied specimen is T.S. of the stem of organ-genus Lepidodendron sp .
Geological Age: Carboniferous period
Type of fossil: Coal fossil
Systematic position of this Lycopods
Division: Lycopodiophyta
Class: Isoetopsida
Order: Lepidodendrales
Family: Lepidodendraceae
Organ genus: Lepidodendron
The supplied specimen shows the following characteristics:-
1.The section shows three distinct regions: A)Central pith, B) Centrally located vascular tissue and C) Outer
Cortex region.
2.A large parenchymatous pith was present in the centre. Many sclerotic nests were present scattered in this
region.
3.Along the margins of the pith there were many strands of primary xylem which are mesarch. Primary xylem
was made up of tracheids with bordered pits on their radial walls.
4.The strands of primary xylem were surrounded by a wide region of secondary xylem. It was made up of
tracheids with multiseriate bordered pits. Wide medullary rays which alternated with groups of primary xylem
were also present.
5.Continuity of secondary xylem was interrupted by outgoing leaf traces giving an appearance of four large
and unequal masses.
6. There were cambium and secondary phloem present just outside the secondary xylem. Pericycle was
situated outside the vascular tissues and was represented by groups of stone cells.
7.A band of internal periderm was present outside pericycle. The cortex situated outside was divisible into
inner cortex and outer cortex.
8.The inner cortex was poorly preserved and, therefore, the tissues were not distinct.
9. The outer cortex was made up of a wide region of radially arranged fibrous strands. These were
anastomosed and formed a distinct reticulum.
….Hence, the supplied specimen is T.S. of the stem of organ-genus Lyginopteris sp.
Geological Age: Carboniferous period
Type of fossil: Petrified fossil
Geographical distribution: England, Continental Europe and North America
Systematic position of this seed ferns
Division: Pteridospermatophyta
Class: Lyginopteridopsida
Order: Lyginopteridales
Family: Lyginopteridaceae
Organ genus: Lyginopteris
--------Thank You-------
