Research Training Program

Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History

PROJECT SUMMARY
1997

Traesha R. Robertson
Angelo State University
San Angelo, Texas
William A. DiMichele
Supervising Scientist
Department of Paleobiology
"This has been an experience of a lifetime. I have learned so much from my research, the lectures, and other interns. It has also been great working with fossils from my home state and learning more about its natural history. Being exposed to new ideas and viewpoints has been fantastic, and I hope to keep in touch with my new friends."

An Evaluation of Pecopteris of North-Central Texas
During the Pennsylvanian and Permian Age

ABSTRACT
The genus Pecopteris, an extinct tree fern, was the dominant foliage of the wetlands during the Pennsylvanian Period. These plants began to decline near the end of the Permian Period. Species identification is based on incomplete and fragmentary fossil evidence. This can result in a high possibility of misidentifications. This is evident in Pecopteris with species numbers ranging from 250-300. This huge number has made it difficult to distinguish different species thus creating a systematic and taxonomic problem. The objective of this project is to use literature and morphological analysis to re-evaluate the genus and develop a collection of characteristics to differentiate species of North-Central Texas. The results of this study will be useful in determining whether or not the chosen characteristics can be used in species differentiation and provide insight to species distribution of North-Central Texas during the Pennsylvanian and Permian.

This research would not have been possible without funding from the Office of the Director's Fellowship of the National Museum of Natural History.

Letter of Gratitude