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Figure 1

From: Rapid encapsulation of true ferns and arborane/fernane compounds fossilised in siderite concretions supports analytical distinction of plant fossils

Figure 1

Samples used for analysis include some of the more common species found at Mazon Creek. Fossils range from approximately 3 to 13 cm in length. (A) True ferns. These are comprised of Pecopteris and Pecopteris-type species (Pteridophyta). Leaves are preserved in fine detail, remineralised by iron carbonate and in some cases mineralised by a white mineral (probable clay, based on observation and previous descriptions of Mazon Creek fossils27,66. TF-1: FMNH PP39376; TF-2: FMNH PP1476; TF-3: FMNH Uncatalogued; TF-4: FMNH P18752. (B) Seed ferns. These include specimens of Odontopteris and Neuropteris which are preserved as thick dark layers with a ‘waxy’ appearance. SF-1: FMNH P31070; SF-2: FMNH PP26465; SF-3: FMNH PP3743; SF-4: FMNH Uncatalogued. (C) Articulates. Preservation style very similar to that of true ferns, with some white mineral (probable clay). AT-1: FMNH PP16930; AT-2: FMNH PP20624. White bar represents 1 cm relative to each individual sample.

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