VEGETATION EVOLUTION AND COAL ACCUMULATION DURING THE LATE PERMIAN IN THE PECHORA COAL BASIN AND THE CIS-URALS

Abstract

An abrupt change in the coal-producing plants is established near the boundary between the Tal'bei and Seida formations and their analogs in the Pechora coal basin and the Cis-Urals. Predominant among plant remains of coal beds became Cardiolepidaceae, mostly Phylladoderma leaves ("Phylladoderma coals"). The change marks the main peak of the Late Permian coal accumulation in the region and signifies appearance of the new plant class Phylladodermetea Ignatiev, 1991. The new class was formed when cardiolepidians developed a new type of diasporas-the semiclosed polyspermous capsules of the Cardiolepis type, which were able to float, as they had air sacs, and, hence, adapted to hydrochory instead of barochory. Nucicarpus neuburgae sp. nov., the new species of cardiolepidian seeds is described.