Abstract Detail

Paleobotany

lai, Yangjun [1], Gandolfo, Maria A [2], Crepet, William [3], Nixon, Kevin [4].

Altingiaceae fossils from the Turonian (Late Cretaceous) of New Jersey, USA.

n this contribution, we report on a new genus with affinities to the modern family Altingiaceae from the Turonian (Late Cretaceous ca. ~90 Million Years), Raritan Formation outcrops in New Jersey, USA. The fossils are tiny, charcoalified pistillate inflorescences and infructesences with three dimensional preservation that includes cellular details. The suite of preserved characters--solitary capitate infructescence, syncarpous bicarpellate ovary with two locules, and the presence of unique sterile phyllomes--indicates close affinities to modern Altingiaceae. The fossils were compared with the previously described Microaltingia apocarpela which was collected from the same sediments. Significant differences between Microaltingia apocarpela and the new genus exist in the morphology and position of the phyllomes: the gynoecium of Microaltingia is surrounded by two whorls composed of numerous short, sterile phyllomes, while the new genus is characterized by the presence of only one whorl. Interestingly, based on the features preserved, it is clear that the new genus comprises two species. One is characterized by its loose florets, granular phyllomes and the presence of hairs at the base of the style, and the other by densely packed florets, triangular phyllomes longer than the style, and the lack of hairs on the style. The relationships of this new genus were explored by analyzing it in a phylogenetic framework. The fossils were included in a combined matrix composed of molecular sequences and morphological data for modern and fossil taxa. These analyses placed the new fossil within the clade that includes modern Altingiaceae.

1 - Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, , Nanjing 210008, China
2 - Cornell University, L. H. BAILEY HORTORIUM, 410 Mann Library Building, ITHACA, NY, 14853-4301, USA
3 - Cornell University, Department Of Plant Biology, 413 Mann Library, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
4 - Cornell University, L.H. Bailey Hortorium, Section of Plant Biology, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA

Keywords:
Altingiaceae
Cretaceous.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 28, Mesozoic to Pleistocene Paleobotany
Location: 102/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016
Time: 1:45 PM
Number: 28002
Abstract ID:813
Candidate for Awards:None