Casterlorum

Casterlorum ("Caster's whip") is a genus of hornwort fossil from the Middle Ordovician (Darriwilian, 460 million years old) Douglas Lake Member of the Lenoir Limestone from Douglas Dam Tennessee[1] The genus was named in honor of Ken Caster.

Intepretative sketch of Casterlorum crispum
Slab with multiple specimens of Casterlorum crispum
Spore and elater of Casterlorum crispum

Casterlorum
Holotype of Casterlorum crispum, from the Douglas Lake Member of Lenoir Limestone, at Douglas Dam, Tennessee[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
Division:
Anthocerophyta
Class:
Anthoceratopsida
Order:
Leiosporocerotales
Family:
Leiosporocerotaceae
Genus:
Casterlorum Retallack (2019)
Type species
Casterlorum crispum
Retallack (2019)

Description

Casterlorum has a wide dichotomizing gametophyte thallus with dichotomizing dark lines interpreted as mucilage canals with cyanobacterial symbionts. The sporophyte horns have a thick basal involucre and when dehisced form whip like curls. Spores are small and laevigate.

Biological affinities

"Casterlorum" is similar in its organization and smooth small spores to living Leiosporoceros.

References
  1. Retallack, G.J. (2019). "Ordovician land plants and fungi from Douglas Dam, Tennessee". The Palaeobotanist. 68: 1โ€“33.


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