<i>Virgatasporites</i> and <i>Attritasporites</i>: the oldest land plant derived spores, cryptospores or acritarchs?

The oldest reported occurrence of cryptospores supposed to derive from land plants (embryophytes) is currently considered be in the Middle Ordovician. two genera Virgatasporites and Attritasporites, described 1960ʹs Early Ordovician (Tremadocian) Algeria, are morphologically close miospores, therefore pose a dilemma, because these spore-like microfossils recorded before first appearance plant derived spores. Here taxonomy, biostratigraphy palaeobiogeography their species revised. Both found many localities on Gondwanan border between late Cambrian They have not been at margins other palaeocontinents so far. biological affinity taxa remains uncertain. Several authors microfossils, whereas classified them as acritarchs, i.e. organic-walled unknown affinity. As relationship embryophyte lineage cannot established clearly date, affiliation enigmatic. Therefore, absence evidence, Attritasporites should temporarily incertae sedis, true known they can adequately placed into group.