Muscites fontinaloides

Palaeodichelyma differs from Jurassic Muscites fontinaloides and Bryokhutuliinia jurassica by the presence of costa, and from Tricostium by the elongate laminal cells and single costa (in fact, differences are very numerous, but there is no reason to list them for such different plants). The Palaeozoic Bajdaievia is similar to Palaeodichelyma in many details (leaf size and shape, pattern of foliage), but lacks the loose areolation in the basal part of the leaf, where net venation (briefly explained in Section 16.2.2 Polyssaievia and Bajdaievia) is developed. Uskatia conferta is similar to Palaeodichelyma in general appearance and leaf dimensions, but differs in the presence of a distinct leaf border and at places the apparent oblique rows of laminal cells. We consider them also to be fundamentally different in their patterns of leaf attachments, although this character is not always observed in both species. 

In conclusion, the question, Did pleurocarpous mosses originate before the Cretaceous has to be answered, Yes, they did. Overall similarity and, especially lateral perichaetia of Palaeodichelyma provide enough evidence for this. Even if the dating of the deposits with Palaeodichelyma shifts to the basal Cretaceous, the fact of its distribution in several localities means its origin must be at least in the Late Jurassic. Bryokhutuliinia and Muscites fontinaloides can also be pleurocarps, though additional evidence is necessary to say this for sure. 

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