A classification schema for the cryptospores

The cryptospores are a class of sporomorphs which is distinct from trilete and monolete spores, pollen grains and acritarchs. These spore‐like palynomorphs are similar in many respects to spores of embryophytes. Because immediate biological affinity is unknown for species of cryptospores, their classification is most effectively achieved through the construction of an artificial system. The schema presented here is an artificial one based on morphology and does not represent a phylogenetic classification which groups species on the basis of ancestor‐descendant relationships. One new species, Tetrahedraletes grayii is described as the oldest known permanent tetrad cryptospore from North America. Three species of dyads, Dicryptosporites radiatus gen. et sp. nov., D. minus, and Confossuspora reniforma gen. et sp. nov. are also described.