[en] The proto-ovule Runcaria heinzelinii Stockmans 1968 has been re-described and interpraed as a precursor of seed plants; its generico-specifica diagnosis has been emended [Gerrienne, P., Meyer-Berthaud, B., Fairon-Demaret, M., Streel, M., Steemans, P. 2004. Runcaria, a Middle Devonian seed plant precursor. Science 306, 856-858.]. Here we define the concept of "proto-ovule" and designate an epitype to support the uninformative and poorly preserved holotype [Stockmans, F., 1968. Vegetaux mesodevoniens recoltes aux confins du Massif du Brabant (Belgique). Inst. Roy. Sci. Nat. Belg. Mem. 159, 1-49., Plate VII: 8a]. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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