Pseudoschizaea sp. from the Early Jurassic of Italy: Fine Structure and Comparison

Abstract: The dispersed palynomorph Pseudoschizaea sp. of unknown affinity from the Jurassic of Italy was studied under transmitted light, confocal, fluorescent, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. A comparison with spores of mosses and fungi, algal cysts and resting eggs of worms has been conducted. Similar sculpture pattern and size range are observed in some algae and fungi. A cross striation of the wall, discovered for this taxon, is so far unknown among algae and fungi studied with a transmission electron microscope, but channels similar to those of Pseudoschizaea are observed in some particular wall layers of some algae. The possible relationships and ecology of the producers of such palynomorphs are discussed.