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Abstract Detail


Paleobotanical Section

Futey, M [1], Gandolfo, Maria [2], Cladera, Gerardo [3], Cuneo, Nestor [4].

First Argentinean fossil record of palm fruits (Salamanca Fm., Paleocene) from Chubut, Patagonia.

We describe fossil palm fruits that belong to the monophyletic subfamily Arecoideae within the family Arecaceae. Fossils were collected in outcrops of the Salamanca Fm. (Danian, Paleocene, 63.3-61.9 Ma) at Ea. Las Violetas locality. The fossils are preserved as three-dimensional petrifications; longitudinal, tangential and cross-sections and CT scans were examined. The fruits are ovoid and longitudinally furrowed, with three well defined-grooves that are easily observed, and a single germination pore that it is opposite to the pedicel. Internally, there is not a clear distinction between the exocarp and the mesocarp, although there is a transition between one to the other; the endocarp is thin and not sculptured. The fruits are single-seeded; the seeds are deltoid and have an acute to acuminate apex and are basally attached to the fruit, the hilum is ovate and the endosperm is ruminate. Diagnostic characters preserved are the possible tannin cells near the endocarp, raphides and a system of longitudinal and radial fibrous bundles with associated brachysclereids. They present a suite of characters that correspond to members of the subfamily Arecoideae and have a possible affinity with the tribes Cocoseae and Areceae. Although the presence of fossils stems was previously known from Patagonia, this report constitutes the first record for fruits for Patagonia and for Argentina, and may support the previously proposed South American origin of Arecoideae during the Cretaceous.

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1 - Cornell University, L.H. Baliey Hortorium, Department of Plant Biology, 412 Mann Library, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
2 - Cornell University, L.H. Baliey Hortorium, Department of Plant Biology, 410 Mann Library, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
3 - Mef, Av. Fontana 140, Trelew, Chubut, 9100, Argentina
4 - Mef Av. Fontana 140, Trelew-Chubut, 9100, Argentina

Keywords:
Arecaceae
Paleocene
Patagonia
Cocoseae.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 8
Location: 555B/Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Time: 10:30 AM
Number: 8002
Abstract ID:100


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