Abstract Detail

Paleobotanical Section

Guerrero-Márquez, Griselda [1], Calvillo-Canadell, Laura [2], Cevallos-Ferriz, Sergio [3].

Rosaceae leaf in Eocene sediments from La Popa, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

In the Eocene La Popa village, Municipality of Mina, Nuevo Leon, fossil plants of Myrtaceae, Leguminosae, Rutaceae, Burseraceae and Anacardiaceae, among others, have been identified, suggesting the presence of conditions that favored the development of the dry tropics. In the present study a compound leaf composed of five leaflets in organic connection with the rachis; each leaflet with elliptic-ovate shape and serrated margin, with two rows of rosoid teeth have been identified. It is suggested that the fossil represents a member of Rosaceae, in particular Sorbus. Currently some wild genera of this family are distributed in subtropical areas of America, so the presence of this taxon and other Rosaceae in the fossil record of Mexico, like Eleopoldia, Holodiscus, introduces us to understand the development of seasonality. The discussion on seasonality needs of the geological and paedological interpretation of the locality, where ca. 200 fossils arid soils and the retreatment of the seas along with the up-lift of the Sierra Madre Oriental create favorable conditions for this phenomenon, which certainly would select plants like those found so far in the locality.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Facultad de Ciencias, UNAM, Biología, parroquia lote 16 manzana 20 colonia lomas de chamontoya, Mexico D.F., México, 01857, 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:
Leaf
Rosaceae
tooth
Eocene
Mexico.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 24
Location: Union A/Hyatt
Date: Tuesday, July 10th, 2012
Time: 8:45 AM
Number: 24002
Abstract ID:129