Casterlorum

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Casterlorum Temporal range: Middle Ordovician to Middle Ordovician PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Holotype of Casterlorum crispum, from the Douglas Lake Member of Lenoir Limestone, at Douglas Dam, Tennessee[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Anthocerophyta
Class:	Anthocerotopsida
Order:	Leiosporocerotales
Family:	Leiosporocerotaceae
Genus:	Casterlorum Retallack (2019)
Type species
Retallack (2019)

Casterlorum ("Caster's whip") is a genus of hornwort fossil from the Middle Ordovician (Darriwilian, 460 million years old) Douglas Lake Member of the Lenoir Limestone from Douglas Dam Tennessee^[1] The genus was named in honor of Ken Caster.

Interpretative sketch of Casterlorum crispum

Slab with multiple specimens of Casterlorum crispum

Spore and elater of Casterlorum crispum

Description[]

Casterlorum has a wide dichotomizing gametophyte thallus with dichotomizing dark lines interpreted as mucilage canals with cyanobacterial symbionts. The sporophyte horns have a thick basal involucre and when dehisced form whip like curls. Spores are small and laevigate.

Biological affinities[]

"Casterlorum" is similar in its organization and smooth small spores to living Leiosporoceros.

References[]

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