Abstract Detail

Paleobotanical Section

Escapa, Ignacio [1], Cuneo, Nestor [2], Wilf, Peter [3].

Mesozoic and Cenozoic record of Araucaria from Patagonia: integrating morphological information into the genus phylogeny.

The conifer family Araucariaceae is one of the most emblematic plant groups of the Southern Hemisphere, where its extant distribution is confined. The family originally included two genera, Agathis and Araucaria, and recently a third one was added: the monotypic Wollemia. Araucaria shows an extended fossil record with species recognized since the early Mesozoic in both hemispheres. The record of Araucaria in Patagonia can be traced from the Early Jurassic through present. Fossil and living Araucaria species are generally divided into four sections: Bunya , Intermedia , Araucaria (= Columbea ) and Eutacta. Fossil species of Araucaria , especially those preserving seed cones, were often assigned to a particular section within the genus based on few characters. Previous phylogenetic analysis of Araucaria have exclusively included molecular characters and therefore fossils were not considered. We discuss the high diversity of fossil Araucaria in Southern South America, including several new findings from the Jurassic, Cretaceous and Paleogene. This extensive fossil record is evaluated in a morphological phylogenetic matrix that also includes all the living species of Araucaria and selected other representatives of the family. In this context, the first record and diversification of the Araucaria sections are discussed. Further investigations on this subject must include revisions of extant and fossil species in order to determine new morphological characters, the extension of the taxon sampling, and the combination with molecular data. Additionally, considerations on the biogeography of the family in the southern hemisphere are considered on light of the new records.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Museo Paleontologico Egidio Feruglio - CONICET, Fontana 140, Trelew, Chubut, 9100, Argentina
2 - Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio-CONICET, Av. Fontana 140, Trelew, Chubut, CP9100, Argentina
3 - Pennsylvanian State University, Department of Geosciences, Deike 403, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802, USA

Keywords:
Araucariaceae
Patagonia
Gondwana
phylogeny.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 23
Location: 555A/Convention Center
Date: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
Time: 8:45 AM
Number: 23004
Abstract ID:649