Data from: Ontogenetic variability in old and new collections of Dicranophyllum gallicum Grand’Eury from the late Palaeozoic of Europe

Dicranophyllum gallicum Grand’Eury is described by means of a morphometric analysis of eighty two samples from various old and new localities in western and central Europe. Stem, leaf cushions, leaf scars, leaves, axillary structures and potential seeds are described in detail, and discussed in comparison to earlier studies. The encountered variability in size and structure is shown to be higher than what was described earlier. The organisation of the leaf cushion and scar density vary gradually with the stem width, while stratigraphic position and ecology do not relate to it. It is concluded that the described variability represents an ontogenetic feature rather than a phylogenetic or ecologic one. The juvenile plants are characterised by small stems, a high leaf scar density and elongated leaf cushions with a dominant apical field, while mature specimens are characterized by a wide stem, a relatively low leaf scar density and relatively wide leaf cushions with a pronounced basal field. Axillary shoots and potential seeds of D. gallicum are described and illustrated in detail for the first time. A reconstruction based on the studied material is presented.本研究针对采自西欧与中欧多地新旧产地的82份标本，开展形态计量分析，以此描述高卢叉叶（Dicranophyllum gallicum Grand’Eury）。详细描述了其茎部、叶座、叶痕、叶片、腋生结构及疑似种子，并结合此前相关研究展开对比讨论。研究发现，该物种在形态大小与结构上的变异程度高于此前文献报道。叶座结构与叶痕密度随茎部宽度呈渐变式变化，而地层位置与生态环境则与该变异无关联。据此认为，本次观测到的形态变异属于个体发育特征，而非系统发育或生态特征。幼株以小型茎部、较高的叶痕密度及具顶端优势域的伸长型叶座为典型特征；成熟标本则具有较宽的茎部、相对较低的叶痕密度，以及具显著基部域的宽展型叶座。本研究首次对高卢叉叶的腋生枝条与疑似种子进行了详细描述与图解说明。基于本次研究的标本材料，完成了该物种的整体复原重建。