New gymnospermous woods from the Permian of the Parnaíba Basin, Northeastern Brazil, Part I: Ductoabietoxylon, Scleroabietoxylon and Parnaiboxylon

The Permian permineralized flora of the Parnaíba Basin, NE Brazil, has been studied since 1872, when the first fossil fern was described from this region. Since then, many fossil pteridophytes have been collected and studied; however, the gymnosperms are still little known. The present contribution focuses on the study of gymnospermous woods from the Motuca Formation. This study presents four new taxa of which three are formally described: Ductoabietoxylon solis gen. et sp. nov., Scleroabietoxylon chordas gen. et sp. nov., Parnaiboxylon rohnae gen. et sp. nov. and Parnaiboxylon sp. 1. The first two genera share an outstanding feature: the presence of abietinoid pitting, a rare characteristic among fossil woods, and a derived stage in the evolution of xylem rays. The presence of several new genera and species in the lowermost Motuca Formation reveals the richness and importance of this area for paleobotanical studies.

► There were found three new genera. ► The genera are Ductoabietoxylon, Scleroabietoxylon and Parnaiboxylon. ► The gymnosperm woods studied show diversified anatomical patterns. ► The Parnaíba Basin flora shows a great similarity with that of the North Hemisphere.