Wairarapaia mildenhallii gen. et sp nov., a new Araucarian cone related to Wollemia from the cretaceous (Alrian-Cenomanian) of New zealand

A new genus and species, Wairarapaia mildenhallii Cantrill et Raine, is established for two ovulate cones with helically inserted cone-scale complexes and a centrally positioned inverted ovule from the Cretaceous (late Albian to Cenomanian) of New Zealand. The cones are up to 60 mm in diameter with wedge-shaped conescale complexes, at least 18 mm long by 8 mm wide and with narrow wings and a short apical spine. The ovules sit centrally in a distinct hollow on the cone-scale complex surface but are attached only by a basal pad of tissue. Ovules are oriented with the micropyle facing the cone axis. They have short lateral wings and are interpreted to be dehiscent from the cone-scale complex. The cone organization suggests affinities with the Araucariaceae. The seed has a narrow attachment point similar to that seen in Agathis and Wollemia and quite unlike that of Araucaria, where the ovule is embedded in the cone-scale complex. Recent phylogenetic analyses suggest that features used to assign fossil taxa to Araucaria need to be reevaluated. This cone supports the notion that many records of Araucaria-like fossils represent basal lineages within the Araucariaceae rather than extinct members of the genus Araucaria.