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Droserapites

Droserapites is a genus of extinct plants of somewhat uncertain droseracean affinity. It is a form taxon known only from fossilized pollen.

Fossil record

Pollen of D. clavatus has been found in the Miocene Peliao Sandstone of Taiwan.

Affinities

Droserapites has generally been regarded as having probable affinity with Droseraceae, primarily because its pollen occurs in tetrads (groups of four) and resembles that of extant Drosera. Pollen tetrads are a distinctive feature of Droseraceae and are unusual among flowering plants, supporting the interpretation of Droserapites as a fossil form taxon with probable droseracean relationships. In his formal description of the genus, Tseng-Chieng Huang suggested that Droserapites may be related to Droseridites and Quadrisperites.

Morphology

Droserapites pollen grains are united in tetrads (groups of four). Individual grains are inaperturate. The exine is mixed with dense, clavate and processes, whereas the is .

The tetrads of D. clavatus are tetrahedral and 34–40 ÃŽÂ¼m in diameter. Individual grains are and measure 18–25 ÃŽÂ¼m in width. They have a roughly circular that is abruptly acute at the distal pole. The exine is 0.5–1 ÃŽÂ¼m thick, with 2–3 ÃŽÂ¼m long clavae or bacula.

References