Dicroidium bandelii sp nov (corystospermalean foliage) from the Permian of Jordan

Dicroidium bandelii sp. nov. (Corystospermales) is described from the Um Irna Formation (Permian) of the Dead Sea Region, Jordan. The type and only specimen is a compressed frond fragment with cuticle. The new species is unique in showing pinnate frond architecture with elongate, lanceolate pinnae with a dense, near-parallel venation. In situ epifluorescence-microscopic analysis of the cuticle revealed evenly distributed, superficial stomata with differentiated lateral subsidiary cells typical of the genus. Epidermal and cuticular features readily distinguish D. bandelii from some superficially similar species of Ptilozamites or Thinnfeldia. Our report demonstrates that the diversity of Corystospermales in the unusual 'mixed flora' of the Permian palaeotropics is still greater than previously thought, and that the Um Irna Formation in particular holds a great potential for future palaeontological research.