Archaefructus: A Breakthrough Discovery
Posted March 10, 1999
By Whitney Crispin Hagins, M.A., M.A.T.
For many years, the oldest known anthophyte, or flowering plant, fossil was 115 million years old. But in 1997, researchers from the Nanjing Institute in China found
evidence of an anthophyte that is much older than 115 million years. Scientists have discovered a fossil plant that is an estimated 140 million years old. This fossil plant was found
in northeastern China between layers of sedimentary rock.
Unique Petals
This fossil, named Archaefructus, was a small plant, measuring only 8.5 centimeters. According to David Dilcher, a paleobotanist at Florida State University,
the Archaefructus was not a beauty. "It lacked colorful petals." He suggests that the unique patterns of the petals may have attracted insect pollinators.
Pods Contain Seeds
This fossil plant also had leaves and produced seeds enclosed within a fruit. This fruit is a significant discovery because past fossils of early anthophytes showed
evidence of only pollen, leaves, and woodlike tissue. This is the first fossil that clearly exhibits seeds enclosed within a fruit. When scientists examined the fossil they actually
found fruits with seeds still intact. It is believed these are the oldest seeds ever found in a fossil. Scientists tried unsuccessfully to germinate these seeds.
The Origin of Archaefructus
Scientists have debated the origins of flowering plants for many years. The discovery of Archaefructus may cause botanists to change their views on the ancestry
of all anthophytes. Many characteristics of Archaefructus support the possibility that flowering plants evolved from seed ferns. Until now, scientist hypothesized that gnetophytes
were the ancestors of flowering plants. Obviously, there is much to be learned from this recent addition to the anthophyte family tree. Yet, one journalist summed up this revolutionary
finding by stating that "this discovery will add more than a few million birthday candles!"
Activity
After reading about the fossil Archaefructus, take time to explore the following web sites on plant fossils. Using this information, state your own views
on how the discovery of the Archaefructus fossil can help gain insight on the evolution and biodiversity of life on earth. How will the discovery of new fossils add to knowledge
of past life and its effect on the future?
References
Sun, et al. "In Search of the First Flower: A Jurassic Angiosperm, Archaefructus, from Northeast China." Science 282, p. 1692.
Begley, Sharon. "Let 1000 Flowers Bloom." Newsweek, Dec. 7, 1998, p.58.
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