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Distribution and ecology of early ferns

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

Andrew C. Scott  and
Jean Galtier
Andrew C. Scott
Affiliation:
Geology Department, Chelsea College (University of London), 552 Kings Road, London SW10 0UA, U.K.
Jean Galtier
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Paléobotanique, Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, L.A. 327 U.S.T.L. 34060 Montpellier, France
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Synopsis

A review of current knowledge of the distribution of Palaeozoic ferns and fern-like plants is presented. Whilst numerous putative ferns occur in the Devonian, it is not until the Lower Carboniferous that ferns belonging to the Filicales appear. The Namurian represents a major gap in our knowledge. The ecology of late Palaeozoic ferns is reviewed. The association of early fern assemblages with volcanic terrains is considered particularly significant in the relationship between evolution and environment. Extinction of more specialised groups may have been caused by climatic changes.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B: Biological Sciences , Volume 86: The Biology of Pteridophytes , 1985 , pp. 141 - 149
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1985

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