NAME Laevitubulus frondifer
AGE Earliest Lochkovian (basal Devonian).   AGE span: 416...411.2 mya
K&J CLASSIFICATION (2000) Fungi Imperfecti, Mycelia sterilia.
FIGURE(S)
Image of
Pl.35fig.15.jpg
FIGURE REFERENCE Wellman CH. 1995. "Phytodebris" from Scottish Silurian and Lower Devonian continental deposits; Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, v. 84, p. 255-279.
SPECIES, AUTHORITY L. frondifer Wellman 1995, p. 261, pl. 2, fig. 6.
LOCATION Scotland.
ORIG DESCRIPTION* (diagnosis): A narrow Laevitubulus (4-10 μm in diameter) arranged such that parallel tubes are interconnected by perpendicular branches forming H-patterns. Occasionally, additional perpendicular branches terminating abruptly in a slight bulge are present.

(Description): Parallel-sided tubes up to 420 μm long. Long sections of tubes run parallel to one another with perpendicular branches connecting them; the interconnecting branches are 3(24)59 μm long and 36-111 μm apart. Some branches do not connect with another tube, but are 4(26)46 μm long and terminate with a slight bulb, although the wall is never thickened. No septa or constrictions have been observed in any of the tubes or at the junctions between tubes. The tube walls are translucent, 1-1.5 μm thick and of uniform thickness, and internally and externally smooth.

Derivation of name: From Latin frondifer (-a, -um) = bearing branches.
COMMENTS*
PUBLICATION REFERENCE Wellman CH. 1995. “Phytodebris” from Scottish Silurian and Lower Devonian continental deposits; Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, v. 84, p. 255-279.
K&J REMARKS From the photographs (l.c., pl. 2, figs. 1, 2, 4, 6-7) there appears to be a slight constriction in the perpendicular cross tubes, about 6-8 µm from the main tube. There is a vague indication of a possible septum at this point.
TYPE
ALL NAMES (Including synonyms) Laevitubulus frondifer
SERIAL NUMBER 883
PUBLIC COMMENTS
 *For source, see Publication Reference.