The taxonomy of fossil lyginopteridalean fronds <i>Eusphenopteris neuropteroides</i> and their importance for understanding late Carboniferous floristic changes

Abstract Lyginopteridalean fossil fronds found abundantly in deposits of the Pennsylvanian‐age (late Carboniferous) coal swamps have historically been identified as Eusphenopteris neuropteroides . However, these fossils have been referred by Van Amerom to three distinct fossil‐species: E. schumannii , E. neuropteroides and E. leonardii . The types of these three species epithets are reviewed and fully documented, as well as the emended diagnoses of the fossil‐species. The three species appear to represent a progressive change in frond morphology through Westphalian times, possibly reflecting changes in palaeoclimate and landscape.