Abstract Detail

Paleobotanical Section

Hernández-Damián, Ana Lilia [1], Calvillo-Canadell, Laura [2], Cevallos-Ferriz, Sergio [3].

Bernardia flower (Euphorbiaceae) preserved in amber from the Miocene of Simojovel de Allende, Chiapas, Mexico.

A new member of Euphorbiaceae preserved in amber from the Miocene of Simojovel de Allende, Chiapas, Mexico, was identified based on a flower. Currently this family is pantropical, comprising about 230 genera and 5700 species, and is divided into five subfamilies: Phyllanthoideae, Oldfieldioideae, Crotonoideae, Euphorbioideae and Acalyphoideae. The latter includes Bernardia Houst. ex Mill. (tribe Bernardieae), characterized by having small and unisexual flowers, with undifferentiated perianth and divided into 3 valvate segments, a intrastaminal nectarial disc and several 3-8 (30) free stamens. The fossil flower is staminate, inconspicuous and pedicelled, the perianth is undifferentiated and divided into 3 valvate segments, slightly pubescent, has botuliform interstaminal glands that making up the nectarial disk, and 13 stamens with free filaments arranged in 2 whorls. The presence of the Miocene Bernardia in Simojovel de Allende, Mexico, adds a new element to the large list of plants telling the long and complex history of the integration of vegetation in Mexico, highlighting a possibly precursor of the Neotropical flora.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, UNAM, Biología, Pascle #548 Col. Santo Domingo Coyoacan, México, D.F., N/A, 04369, Mexico
2 - Instituto De Geología, UNAM, Circuito De La Investigación, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacan, N/A, 04510, Mexico
3 - Instituto De Geología, UNAM, Department Of Palentology, Ciudad Univwersitaria, Coyoacan, MEXICO D.F., N/A, 01900, Mexico

Keywords:
Bernardia
Euphorbiaceae
Flower
Amber
Miocene
Mexico.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 31
Location: Union A/Hyatt
Date: Tuesday, July 10th, 2012
Time: 11:15 AM
Number: 31004
Abstract ID:132