A new species of Todites [Pteridophyta] with in situ spores from the Upper Permian of Pechora Cis-Urals [Russia]

Todites lobulatus sp.nov.is described from the lowermost Upper Permian (Ufimian) of the Pechora basin.The fossil remains preserved as compressions and impressions, were collected from near−shore lake deposits of the Intinskian Formation.The species belongs to protoleptosporangiate ferns (Pteridophyta) of the Osmundaceae, and is characterized by tripinnate fertile fronds with deeply dissected lobate pinnules with round apexes.Sporangia are round or ovoid, free, and located on the abaxial leaf surface.A group of specialized thick−walled cells is located on the top or side part of the sporangia.The species is the most ancient representative of Osmundaceae. Spores of Osmundacidites−type, preserved in situ, are characterized.