| Pecopteris | |
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| Partial frond ofPecopteris villosa fromMazon Creek (Carboniferous) | |
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| Genus: | Pecopteris |
| Species | |
Approximately 250 to 300, see text | |
Pecopteris is a very commonform genus ofleaves. MostPecopteris leaves and fronds are associated with the marattialean tree fernPsaronius. However,Pecopteris-type foliage also is borne on severalfilicalean ferns, and at least oneseed fern.[1][2] Pecopteris first appeared in theDevonian period, but flourished in theCarboniferous, especially thePennsylvanian. Plants bearing these leaves became extinct in thePermian period, due to swamps disappearing and temperatures on Earth dropping.[3]
Pecopteris is derived from the Greekpekin, (to comb), andpteris, (a fern).[4] This is because the leaflets ofPecopteris fronds are arranged like the teeth on a comb.[5]
As of 1997, there have been 250-300 species assigned toPecopteris.[6]
InBrazil, fossil ofform genusPecopteris was located in outcropMorro Papalé in the city ofMariana Pimentel. They are in the geopark Paleorrota inRio Bonito Formation and date fromSakmarian inPermian.[7]
Media related toPecopteris at Wikimedia Commons
