Croizat and angiosperms and Lepidoptera

[John Grehan]

Ken Kinman wrote:

 My personal view has always been that
>angiosperms probably existed in relatively small numbers during the
>Triassic and Jurassic.

In small numbers prehaps, but nevertheless possibly widespread. Certainly
angiosperms had to be widespread and well differentiated by the
Cretaceous to result in the current global patterns of distribution (I
acknolwedge
that assertion to be an opinion), and Croizat proposed a coastal mangrove
origin to provide the geographic context that would provide this widespread
ancestral range, as well as introducing angiosperms inland through
tectonic uplift and associated "adaptation".

 The question in my mind has been whether they
>originated before or after the Permian extinction event.
>     The same question might possibly apply to the lepidopterans since
>the caddisflies definitely occurred in the Permian.

My understanding (please correct me if incorrect) is that since Trichoptera
and Lepidoptera are sister groups, they split from a common ancestor, so
if Trichoptera are Permian, so too are Lepidotpera.



 In my 1994 book, I
>list the lepidopterans as occurring "M. Triassic?-Recent".


What is the title of your book?

John Grehan