Item

Assessing Vein Density of Fossilized and Modern Ferns at the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) Boundry

Farver, Lindsie
Abstract
Vein density in ferns can serve as a valuable proxy for past environmental conditions, offering insights into climatic shifts and hydrologic cycling across geological time periods. The vein densities of ferns in a simulated greenhouse experiment replicating the events of the K-Pg mass extinction were analyzed. Each taxon (Athyrium, Dicksonia, and Polystichum) had a significant difference (p < 0.003) in vein densities between the simulated high CO2 state of the Cretaceous and the simulated recovery phase of the Paleocene. This study also examines vein density in ferns from the late Cretaceous and early Paleocene to better understand their role as a disaster taxon during the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) mass extinction event. A total of 173 specimens from 28 localities were analyzed using ImageJ to measure vein density, with statistical comparisons conducted through t-tests in R. Two prominent morphotypes that persisted through the K-Pg mass extinction were assessed, comparing their vein densities in the late Cretaceous and early Paleocene. Preliminary results indicate a mixed significant difference across the boundary, with Allantodiopsis erosa (Lesquereux) Knowlton showing a near-significant difference (p = 0.05247), while Woodwardia arctica (Heer) Brown (p = 0.996) showed no notable change (Peppe et al., 2011). These findings contribute to our understanding of fern morphology and their response to ancient climate transitions. Further research needs to be conducted with additional specimens to understand patterns across other morphotypes and sites
Description
Date
2025-05-13
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Wyoming Libraries