Carpolithes sp. 4

Tiffney, Bruce H. & Manchester, Steven R., 2022, The Early Middle Eocene Wagon Bed Carpoflora Of Central Wyoming, U. S. A., Fossil Imprint 78 (1), pp. 51-79 : 70

Carpolithes sp. 4

Text-fig. 8p–t

M a t e r i a l. One specimen, chalcedony cast, USNM

PAL 772369.

D e s c r i p t i o n. Ovate-elliptic in lateral view, elliptic in cross-section, 5.5 mm high, 4.1 by 3.6 mm in cross section. Attachment end with a collar-like opening ( Text-fig. 8p, s ), 1 mm diameter, with a slight central depression surrounded by a two raised, concentric rings, each with a rounded margin bearing a faint hint of radially-oriented cells ( Text-fig. 8p ). The surface of the fossil marked by a faint papillate pattern suggestive of cells ( Text-fig. 8q, r ). Distal end rounded, without any distinctive markings.

D i s c u s s i o n. The short and long cross-sectional axes impart a bilateral symmetry to the structure, but there is no sign of a ridge or groove that would suggest a plane of dehiscence or raphe. The basal (?) scar is suggestive of a point of attachment. These features, coupled with a consistent surficial pattern indicative of cells, clearly indicate that this is a fruit or seed, but do not permit further attribution.

Figures

Text-fig. 8. Carpolithes (a–t). a–e: Carpolithes sp. 1. USNM PAL 772366. Scale bar = 1cm. a: Lateral view of endocarp, note two longitudinal ridges. b: Lateral view of endocarp rotated 90° from (a), note singlelateral ridge in center, a, b reflected light, palladium coated. c: Lateral view, Micro-CT scan surface rendering. d: View of rounded end of the endocarp, reflected light, palladium coated. e: View of the opposite (pointed) end of the endocarp, note split; reflected light, palladium coated. f–j: Carpolithes sp. 2. USNM PAL 772367. Scale bar = 5mm. f: Lateral view, base down; note raphe-like structure (arrow), reflected light, palladium coated. g: Lateral view, the raphe-like structure extending vertically from the base. h: Lateral view, rotated 90° from (g). i: Lateral view, the opposite face to that in (h). j: Basal view, raphe-like structure running from the center to the right of the image. g–j: CT scan surface renderings. k–o: Carpolithes sp. 3 USNM PAL 772368. Scale bar = 5mm. k: Ventral view of the specimen, note flared apical extension, reflected light, uncoated. l: Dorsal view illustrating the flared apical extension, rotated 180o from (k). m: Lateral view rotated 90° from that in (l). n: Apical view, the apical extension with central pore (arrow) and a clear lineation running down the side to the top of the image. o: Basal view. l–o: Micro-CT scan surface renderings. p–t: Carpolithes sp. 4. USNM PAL 772369. Scale bar = 3mm. p: Basal view illustrating the concentric rings of radiating possible cells surrounding a central depression. q: Lateral view, base down, note possible cellular pattern. r: Lateral view, rotated 180° from (q), base down; p–r: reflected light, palladium coated. s, t: Basal and lateral views, micro-CT scan surface renderings.