Abstract

HERNANDEZ-DAMIAN, Ana L.; CALVILLO-CANADELL, Laura  and  CEVALLOS-FERRIZ, Sergio R. S.. Flower of a new species of Lunania Hook (Salicaceae sensu lato-Samydeae) as inclusions in Miocene amber from Simojovel de Allende, Chiapas, Mexico. Bol. Soc. Geol. Mex [online]. 2016, vol.68, n.1, pp.29-36. ISSN 1405-3322.

Amber from Simojovel de Allende, Chiapas, Mexico, is one of the most important Miocene deposits worldwide; however paleontological studies based on material from the area are scarce, especially those related to plants. This taxonomic work confirms the presence of Salicaceae sensu lato in the deposit based on an inconspicuous bisexual flower, with a pedicell having two scars on its base suggesting the position of two bracteoles, hipogenous disk, 3 concave sepals, lack of petals, 15 free stamens distributed in two cycles (the longest ones are external), and superior ovary. These characters suggest that this is an extinct species of the genus Lunania, due to the fact that it has a suite of characters of the two extant species L. parviflora and L. mexicana. The presence of Lunania in the Miocene of Mexico, is physical evidence of the long history of the lineage in the country, and supports that at that time a tropical forest was developed in Simojovel de Allende.

Keywords : Amber; fossil flower; Simojovel de Allende; Lunania; Salicaceae.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )