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Fossil Plant Cuticles

Kutikula
Pseudovoltzia liebeana
 The cuticle is the outer protective layer which covers the aerial green parts of higher land plants. The cuticle clearly displays the cell pattern of the underlying epidermis including features such as stomata and glands. This cell pattern is very distinctive and each plant species has its own characteristic cuticle. Cuticles are very resistant and the oldest known cuticles are over 400 million years old. Especially in compression floras cuticles are often the only source of cellular information.
In addition to their usability for identifying fossil plants on a biological basis, fossil cuticles provide important information about palaeoecology and palaeoclimate. Important features include the position and density of stomata, the thickness of the cuticle, and the presence of hairs and glands.

Several research projects on fossil cuticles are currently running in Münster. One project deals with seed fern and cordaite cuticles fromthe Stephanian (Upper Carboniferous) of Western and Central Europe, focusing on material from the French Massif Central. Special attention is also given to cuticles of the Early Devonian Rhynie Chert plants. In addition cuticles of Carboniferous and Permian plants from various regions in Europe and North America are studied. Cooperations with organic geochemists have led to a better insight in the chemistry of fossil and recent cuticles.

Research Palaeobotany homepage Geol.-Palaeont. Institute