Abstract
Premise of researchA large number of fossil coryphoid palm wood and fruits have been reported from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of India. We document the oldest well-preserved and very rare costapalmate palm leaves and inflorescence like structures from the same horizon.MethodologyA number of specimens were collected from Maastrichtian–Danian sediments of the Deccan Intertrappean beds, Ghughua, near Umaria, Dindori District, Madhya Pradesh, India. The specimens are compared with modern and fossil taxa of the family Arecaceae.Pivotal results Sabalites dindoriensis sp. nov. is described based on fossil leaf specimens including basal to apical parts. These are the oldest coryphoid fossil palm leaves from India as well as, at the time of deposition, from the Gondwana- derived continents.ConclusionsThe fossil record of coryphoid palm leaves presented here and reported from the Eurasian localities suggests that this is the oldest record of coryphoid palm leaves from India and also from the Gondwana- derived continents suggesting that the coryphoid palms were well established and wide spread on both northern and southern hemispheres by the Maastrichtian–Danian. The coryphoid palms probably dispersed into India from Europe via Africa during the latest Cretaceous long before the Indian Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate.
Highlights
Palms (Arecaceae/Palmae) are considered an important and characteristic component of tropical rainforest ecosystems having a pantropical distribution [1]
The coryphoid palms probably dispersed into India from Europe via Africa during the latest Cretaceous long before the Indian Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate
The fossil palm leaves were collected from Umaria near Ghughua (23u 7’ N; 80u 37’ E), in the premises of Ghughua Fossil National Park, Dindori District, Madhya Pradesh
Summary
Palms (Arecaceae/Palmae) are considered an important and characteristic component of tropical rainforest ecosystems having a pantropical distribution [1]. The family has been placed within the commelinid clade of the monocotyledons [2,3], and is composed of five subfamilies: Arecoideae, Calamoideae, Ceroxyloideae, Coryphoideae and Nypoideae [4,5]. Palm species richness is the highest in tropical Asia (.1200 species) and the higher in the Americas (730 species) than in Africa (only 65 species) [5]. It has been suggested that the low diversity of palms in Africa in contrast to Asia and America is due to Neogene aridification in Africa [8]. Recent studies suggest in situ diversification in other regions like Asia and America etc [9,10]. Among the five subfamilies of the Arecaceae, Coryphoideae is sister to a clade comprising Arecoideae and Ceroxyloideae. Asmussen et al [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
