| Abstract Detail
Paleobotany Gandolfo, Maria [1]. New floristic components of the Early Eocene La Meseta Formation, Seymour (Marambio) Island, Antarctica. The La Meseta Formation outcrops on the northern third end of Seymour (Marambio) Island, Antarctic Peninsula and represents sediments characterized by estuary mouth sand complexes, inner estuary channels and shoals, tide influenced delta plains, and delta front. The formation is known for its impressive fossil record of invertebrates and vertebrates, however its flora is known mostly from studies on wood and palynology. In this contribution, new floristic components are presented that increases our knowledge on its previously recognized flora. The new fossils come from three localities: Acantilados Allomember (TELM 2), Campamento Allomember (TELM 4-3) and Cucullaea 1 (TELM 5), their age is early Eocene (~54 my) based on 87Sr/86Sr values. The allochthonous paleofloristic assemblage is dominated by angiosperms; Nothofagaceae is the dominant component while Myrtaceae, Cunoniaceae, Lauraceae, and Proteaceae are also represented. Araucariaceae leaves and cone scales are the only gymnosperm recognized so far in the new assemblage. This paleoflora supports the presence of a temperate rainforest at time of deposition. The La Meseta Fm. flora was compared with other southern South American formations of similar age. Based on those comparisons, the value of the flora is highlighted as it increases the importance of Antarctica for understanding the evolution of the fossil and extant South American floras.
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1 - L. H. BAILEY HORTORIUM, 406 Mann Library Building, Plant Biology Section, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Keywords:
Paleoflora
Seymour (Marambio) Island
Early Eocene
Antarctica.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: PAL4, Paleobotany IV: Paleogene Paleobotany
Location: Tucson C/Starr Pass
Date: Tuesday, July 30th, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM
Number: PAL4002
Abstract ID:511
Candidate for Awards:None |
