Wairarapaia mildenhallii gen. et sp. nov., a New Araucarian Cone Related to Wollemia from the Cretaceous (Albian‐Cenomanian) of New Zealand

A new genus and species, Wairarapaia mildenhallii Cantrill et Raine, is established for two ovulate cones with helically inserted cone‐scale complexes and a centrally positioned inverted ovule from the Cretaceous (late Albian to Cenomanian) of New Zealand. The cones are up to 60 mm in diameter with wedge‐shaped cone‐scale complexes, at least 18 mm long by 8 mm wide and with narrow wings and a short apical spine. The ovules sit centrally in a distinct hollow on the cone‐scale complex surface but are attached only by a basal pad of tissue. Ovules are oriented with the micropyle facing the cone axis. They have short lateral wings and are interpreted to be dehiscent from the cone‐scale complex. The cone organization suggests affinities with the Araucariaceae. The seed has a narrow attachment point similar to that seen in Agathis and Wollemia and quite unlike that of Araucaria, where the ovule is embedded in the cone‐scale complex. Recent phylogenetic analyses suggest that features used to assign fossil taxa to Araucaria need to be reevaluated. This cone supports the notion that many records of Araucaria‐like fossils represent basal lineages within the Araucariaceae rather than extinct members of the genus Araucaria.