Abstract
AbstractThis paper presents new descriptions of Anacardiaceae fossil woods from the Ituzaingó Formation (late Cenozoic) at the Toma Vieja, Curtiembre, and Arroyo El Espinillo localities, Argentina. We describe eight silicified woods assigned to four different species in three genera, one of which,Parametopioxylon crystalliferumn. gen. n. sp., is new. Similarities between these three genera and the six Anacardiaceae species previously recorded from the late Cenozoic in northeastern Argentina are investigated using multivariate analysis techniques (correspondence and cluster analysis). Our study is based on 33 characters scored for 17 fossil specimens (10AstroniumxylonBrea, Aceñolaza, and Zucol 2001; fiveSchinopsixylonLutz, 1979; and twoParametopioxylonn. gen.) and four extant species (Astronium balansaeEngl.,Astronium urundeuvaEngl.,Schinopsis balansaeEngl., andMetopiumsp.). Our main goal is to determine the wood anatomical features useful for distinguishing among these species. Results of the multivariate analyses support the previous classification whereSchinopsixylonis distinguished fromAstroniumxylonby having exclusively paratracheal axial parenchyma, ≥30% multiseriate rays, and multiseriate rays that are ≥5 cells wide and commonly 301–400 μm in height. Additionally, we propose thatSchinopsixylon heckiiLutz, 1979 is synonymous withS.herbstiiLutz, 1979. A diagnostic key for the fossil species studied is given. Wood anatomy of Anacardiaceae fossil woods from Argentina (late Cenozoic) suggests a warm, dry to semi-humid climate for this region, supporting previous studies.
Highlights
Anacardiaceae Brown, 1818, nom. cons., is a family of cosmopolitan distribution composed of evergreen or deciduous shrubs and trees with secretory canals in the leaves, bark, and, often, wood, mainly distributed in pantropical regions, with some elements found in temperate regions of Eurasia and South America (Muñoz, 2000)
The aims of this study are: (1) to make a taxonomic revision of the late Cenozoic Anacardiaceae fossil woods from northeastern Argentina; (2) to describe eight new silicified woods assigned to four different species of Anacardiaceae; (3) to determine anatomical variability and similarities among fossil Anacardiaceae woods found in the Ituzaingó, Paraná, El Palmar, and “Salto Chico” formations, and related extant genera using correspondence and cluster analyses to establish the taxonomic limits and the diagnostic characters in fossil taxa; and (4) to propose a key to distinguish species of Parametopioxylon new genus, Schinopsixylon, and Astroniumxylon from each other
A taxonomic revision and multivariate analyses were conducted on seventeen specimens of late Cenozoic Anacardiaceae fossil woods from northeastern Argentina and four extant species
Summary
Anacardiaceae Brown, 1818, nom. cons., is a family of cosmopolitan distribution composed of evergreen or deciduous shrubs and trees with secretory canals in the leaves, bark, and, often, wood, mainly distributed in pantropical regions, with some elements found in temperate regions of Eurasia and South America (Muñoz, 2000). In Argentina, there are 33 extant species in six genera Anacardiaceous fossil palynomorphs and leaf impressions with affinities to Lithraea Miers., Schinus, and Astronium were recovered in the Miocene Paraná and Ituzaingó formations from northeastern Argentina (Anzótegui, 1990; Anzótegui and Aceñolaza, 2008; Franco et al, 2013). Some Argentinean fossil woods resemble the extant genera Astronium, Schinopsis, and Schinus (Brea and Franco, 2013). Resinaxylon Pujana, an anacardiaceaous fossil wood resembling Schinus, was found in the Oligocene San Julián and Río Leona Formations (Patagonia, Argentina; Pujana, 2009; Martínez and Pujana, 2010)
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