New fossil bryophytes from the Triassic Madygen Lagerstätte (SW Kyrgyzstan)

Bryophytes are found throughout the world in almost all terrestrial habitats. However, the fossil record of bryophytes is generally poor and fragmentary. In this contribution, we present the first unequivocal record of bryophytes from the Middle–Late Triassic Madygen Formation, in southwestern Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia. The bryophyte flora comprises two new species, the thalloid liverwort Ricciopsis ferganica and the leafy moss Muscites brickiae. In addition, a third form occurs, here described as Muscites sp. The dorsiventrally differentiated thallus of R. ferganica closely resembles that of the extant liverwort Riccia fluitans (Ricciaceae). The Central Asian finds represent the oldest known occurrence of the fossil genus Ricciopsis. The relative abundance of bryophytes in the Madygen fossil biota suggests that non-vascular plants played important role in special microhabitats within the Madygen palaeoecosystem and probably fostered the diversity of arthropods by providing favourable microhabitats for a range of aquatic and amphibiotic insects.

► We present the first unequivocal record of bryophytes from the Madygen Formation.
► Two new bryophyte species, Ricciopsis ferganica and Muscites brickiae
► Ricciopsis ferganica closely resembles the extant liverwort Riccia fluitans.
► Ricciopsis ferganica is the oldest known occurrence of the fossil genus Ricciopsis.