Metzgeriothallus

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Metzgeriothallus
Temporal range: Givetian–Lower Mississippian
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Marchantiophyta
Class: Jungermanniopsida
Order: Metzgeriales
Genus: Metzgeriothallus
Walton, 1928
Species
  • M. metzgerioides Walton, 1928 (type)
  • M. sharonae VanAller Hernick et al., 2008

Metzgeriothallus sharonae is the oldest known liverwort fossil, dating to the Middle Devonian.[1] It is a simple, thalloid organism. M. metzgerioides is known from more fragmentary material dating to the Carboniferous of Scotland.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Hernick, L.; Landing, E.; Bartowski, K. (2008). "Earth's oldest liverworts—Metzgeriothallus sharonae sp. nov. from the Middle Devonian (Givetian) of eastern New York, USA". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 148 (2–4): 154–162. Bibcode:2008RPaPa.148..154H. doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2007.09.002.