On the discovery of Gilboaphyton (Lycopsida) from the Upper Devonian of East Junggar, Xinjiang, and its global distribution

Abstract Protolepidodendralean lycopsid Gilboaphyton is firstly described from the Upper Devonian Kaxiweng Formation of Fuyun, East Junngar, Xinjiang, northwest China as a new species. G. fuyunensis sp. nov. is characterized by flat-hexagonal to fusiform leaf base and hastate leaf with two lateral upturned segments. In Gilboaphyton species, two types of leaf base with longitudinal- and flat-hexagonal shapes, are recognized. Spores are obtained from plant fossil-bearing rocks and help determining the Late Devonian age of the present plant. The spatio-temporal distribution of Gilboaphyton and Archaeosigillaria are reconstructed onto Devonian and Carboniferous paleogeographic maps using global occurrence data of the two genera. Gilboaphyton and Archaeosigillaria were probably originated from southeastern Laurentia in the Early-Middle Devonian and had similar dispersal patterns. It is suggested that the two genera might belong to one plant based on their global occurrence records.