Muci et al. 2026 Fossil fruits of a new Attaleinae (Cocoseae, Arecaceae): evidence of a palm grove community during the Early Miocene in northern Patagonia, Argentina.
Year: 2026
Type: other
Abstract: We report a new palm fruit fossil record based on more than 30 specimens studied. These were assigned to a new fossil taxon (Pindocarpon chichinalensis) within the subtribe Attaleinae (Tribe Cocoseae, Arecoideae). Furthermore, the presence of unusual endocarp intrusions suggests a close anatomical relationship with the extant Syagrus romanzoffiana. The new fossil taxon is one of the best-preserved fossils of the Cocoseae worldwide, being the first unambiguous fossil record for Attaleinae from southern South America. This record represents the most austral occurrence of the Attaleinae in South America, indicating that subtropical climatic conditions extended into northern Patagonia almost to the Early Miocene.Here at figshare you can see original high-resolution plates, and X-ray µCT image stack (slices) of palm fruits generated by this study.
Source: Figshare
Authors: Iglesias, Ari, Passalia, M. G., Muci, Luciana
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7140197950