Frenelopsis pombetsuensis

A new fossil conifer, Frenelopsis pombetsuensis sp. nov., is described on the basis of a single specimen obtained from the Lower Cretaceous (Albian) of Hokkaido, Japan. Frenelopsis pombetsuensis is similar to F. choshiensis from the Lower Cretaceous of Choshi, Kimigahama, in having two leaves at each node. The cuticular feature of Frenelopsis pombetsuensis is, however, rather more similar to that of F. hoheneggeri from the Lower Cretaceous of Poland than to F. choshiensis. The Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous paleofloras of Japan have been divided into two distinct types : the Ryoseki and Tetori. However, attributions of the Early Cretaceous flora of Hokkaido have not been made because of its hitherto poorly-known fossil record. The genus Frenelopsis is one of the most important members of the Ryoseki-type floras and has never been found in the Tetori-type floras. The present fossil is the first record of characteristic taxon of the Ryoseki-type flora from the Lower Cretaceous of Hokkaido.