Plant-insect interactions in the fossil flora of the Bajo de Veliz Formation (Gzhelian - Asselian): San Luis, Argentina

Abstract

This article presents a detailed description of insect trace fossils found in the megaflora of the Gzhelian-Asselian of the Bajo de Veliz. Plant-insect interactions are analyzed on 212 specimens of leaves from this flora, characterized by glossopterid (Gangamopteris, Euryphyllum, Glossopteris), cordaitales, sphenophytes, pteridosperms, lycophytes, conifers and seeds. Marginal feeding, surface and oviposition traces and galling predominate, as compared to the poor representation of piercing and sucking traces. Necrotic tissue was identified on leaves of the genera Euryphyllum, Gangamopteris, Glossopteris and bipinnate fronds of Botrychiopsis, suggesting that damage was produced while the plants were alive. The first reported evidence of galling for Botrychiopsis and piercings traces in Gangamopteris leaves for Gondwana are described.

Keywords:

• Paganzo Basin
• San Luis
• Late Palaeozoic
• Bajo de Veliz Formation
• plant-insect interactions

Acknowledgements

Authors are grateful to the constructive comments of the reviewers and editors, which improved this contribution. Special thanks to the people of Bajo de Veliz locality.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The project ‘Cenozoic geology in San Luis and adjacent regions, Argentina’ (CyT 03-0218, FCFMyN, UNSL) provides financial support for this study.