Scanning Electron Microscopy in Gondwana palaeobotany

William S. Lacey

doi:10.54991/jop.1981.1431

Authors

William S. Lacey School of Plant Biology, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, Wales, U.K.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54991/jop.1981.1431

Keywords:

SEM techniques, Silicified wood, Pyritised stems, Leaf impressions, Gondwana

Abstract

The development of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) techniques in Palaeobotany is briefly reviewed. Special reference is made to the use of these techniques in the investigation of Gondwana plants. Examples are given of their application in recent research on silicified wood from Zambia, pyritised stems and leaves from South Africa, and leaf impressions from Antarctica. The limitations and potentialities of SEM in studies of Gondwana fossil plants are summarised.

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