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Frederic M B Jacques - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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fossil Endocarps of aralia araliaceae from the upper pliocene of yunnan in southwest china and their biogeographical implications
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2015Co-Authors: Frederic M B Jacques, Xiang Hui Xiao, Yongjiang Huang, Zhekun Zhou, Li WangAbstract:Aralia stratosa H. Zhu, Y.J. Huang et Z.K. Zhou sp. nov. is described based on fossil Endocarps from the upper Pliocene of northwest Yunnan in southwest China. The Endocarps are characterized by a semicircular to elliptic outline in the lateral view, an apical beak-like structure bending towards the ventral side, and a transversely wrinkled surface, collectively indicating taxonomical inclusion in the genus Aralia (Araliaceae). The new fossil taxon is compared with nine extant species of Aralia based on Endocarp morphology and anatomy, showing the carpological resemblance to A. echinocaulis. Aralia stratosa sp. nov. represents the first confirmed fossil record from lower latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. This implies a southerly biogeographical range for this genus than was previously interpreted. The fossil record of Aralia suggests a Cretaceous origin in North America and an Eocene dispersal to eastern Asia, likely via the Bering land bridge, followed by Miocene establishment in Europe. The genus likely began to inhabit lower latitudes in eastern Asia no later than the late Pliocene, which is in line with results from molecular analyses. All these may suggest a southward distributional change probably associated with the global cooling and northern acidification. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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new fossil Endocarps of sambucus adoxaceae from the upper pliocene in sw china
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2012Co-Authors: Yongjiang Huang, Xiang Hui Xiao, Frederic M B Jacques, Tao Su, Yaowu Xing, Zhekun ZhouAbstract:A new species of fossil Endocarp is described from the Sanying Formation of the upper Pliocene at Fudong Village, Lanping County of northwestern Yunnan Province, Southwest China. The Endocarps are elliptic, ovate or oblong elliptic, 2.1-2.5 mm long and 1.2-1.7 mm wide. The dorsal face is convex and the ventral is concave or more flattened. The Endocarp surface is loosely, transversely or sinuously furrowed and ridged, forming a reticulate and alveolate pattern on the ridges, and the inner wall of the surface cells on the ridges is flaky and scaly. They are morphologically compared with selected extant genera of Adoxaceae and Caprifoliaceae. The interspecific comparisons show diagnostic differences of the fossil Endocarps from the selected modern species and other fossil taxa, supporting their recognition as a new species: Sambucus alveolatisemina Huang, Liu et Zhou, sp. nov. Previous records of the reliable Sambucus fossils were from mid-high latitude regions in Europe, northeastern Asia and northern North America. Therefore, it is interesting to note that S. alveolatisemina represents a fossil record from a low latitude region. Sambucus apparently has existed at low latitudes in China at least since the upper Pliocene. A review of other Sambucus fossil occurrences indicates that plants of this genus have been living at higher latitudes in the geological past than they are at present. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Revised taxonomy of selected fossil Endocarp species in the Menispermaceae using a morphometric approach
Geodiversitas, 2011Co-Authors: Frederic M B Jacques, Edoardo Martinetto, Zhekun ZhouAbstract:Several Cenozoic Endocarp remains from the northern hemisphere have been described with strong affinities to either Menispermum L. or Sinomenium Die Is, a monophyletic group of menispermous vines. It has been proposed that all of these fossil species are synonymous and should be included within Sinomenium. In order to evaluate this suggestion, we have studied the morphological variation ranges in the menispermous Endocarps with geometric morphometrics, and then the ranges of the selected fossil Endocarps is compared to the ranges of modern Endocarps. The shape of each Endocarp is described using eight landmarks and 17 semilandmarks, accounting for the outline and the positions of lateral ridge and foramen on the Endocarps. Endocarp ornamentation is studied by statistical comparisons of the number of transverse ridges. It is concluded that the ranges of variation within the fossil genera, all morphologically related to horseshoe-shaped Endocarps in Menispermaceae, are found not to be greater than that in the only extant species of Sinomenium, S. acutum (Thunb.) Rehder & Wilson. Sinomenium macrocarpum Liu & Jacques, 2010 differs from the other fossil species of Sinomenium by its higher number of transverse ridges. All other fossil species of Sinomenium, except S. macrocarpum, and Wardensheppeya Eyde, 1970 are synonymous. Menispermum? taylori Chandler, 1964 is transferred to Sinomenium. The fossil genus Palaeosinomenium Chandler, 1961 is confirmed through the obliquity of its Endocarp, but all species are found to be synonymous. Menispermicarpum rariforme Chandler, 1961 is also included in Palaeosinomenium.
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Geometric morphometrics: A powerful tool for the study of shape evolution in Menispermaceae Endocarps
TAXON, 2010Co-Authors: Frederic M B Jacques, Zhekun ZhouAbstract:Within Menispermaceae, Endocarp shape is highly variable and often characteristic. This study applied geometric morphometrics to the investigation of horseshoe-shaped Endocarps that characterized the former Menispermeae tribe. The shape of 823 Endocarp specimens, representing 66 species and 16 genera, were described on the lateral face by the means of 4 landmarks and IS semilandmarks. The general Procrustes analysis was used to remove size and orientation of the specimens. Using thin-plate splines, we were able to visualize and describe the variation in shape for each genus and/or species. The main differences concern the symmetry/asymmetry of Endocarp, the relative size of condyle, the relative length of ventral face and the concavity of ventral face. The results fa PCA reveal that for all genera except Diploclisia, generic variability is explained by a continuum in intra- and interspecific variability. Endocarp shape differed significantly between genera, demonstrating the potential for geometric morphometrics in fossil identification. Allometry explained only a small part of shape variation. Phylogenetic content is evaluated by comparing the results of cluster analysis with recent molecular phylogenies. Endocarp shape affinities appear to be quite different from phylogenetic relationships, demonstrating the low phylogenetic signal in Endocarp shape at the family level. However, stronger variation is found in the lineages leading to modern genera. With a known phylogeny, geometric morphometrics is a good tool to understand shape evolution.
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sinomenium macrocarpum sp nov menispermaceae from the miocene pliocene transition of gray northeast tennessee usa
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2010Co-Authors: Frederic M B JacquesAbstract:article i nfo The present study documents the first confirmed fossil record of Sinomenium in Menispermaceae, Sinome- nium macrocarpum sp. nov., from the recently discovered Gray Fossil Site in Tennessee, southeastern USA. The fossil species is represented by more than 120 Endocarps, all of which are characterized by their horseshoe-shaped form and occurrence of highly ornamented protuberances on both dorsal and lateral crests. A combination of their relatively large size and highly developed of protuberances on the surface of Endocarp warrants the new species. The new species is justified through a detailed comparison with the related and published extant and fossil species. The discovery of the genus in North America appears to support that the Gray site in southern Appalachian region represented a forest refugium during the late Neogene when the global cooling was intensified and grasslands were globally expanded.
Zhekun Zhou - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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fossil Endocarps of aralia araliaceae from the upper pliocene of yunnan in southwest china and their biogeographical implications
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2015Co-Authors: Frederic M B Jacques, Xiang Hui Xiao, Yongjiang Huang, Zhekun Zhou, Li WangAbstract:Aralia stratosa H. Zhu, Y.J. Huang et Z.K. Zhou sp. nov. is described based on fossil Endocarps from the upper Pliocene of northwest Yunnan in southwest China. The Endocarps are characterized by a semicircular to elliptic outline in the lateral view, an apical beak-like structure bending towards the ventral side, and a transversely wrinkled surface, collectively indicating taxonomical inclusion in the genus Aralia (Araliaceae). The new fossil taxon is compared with nine extant species of Aralia based on Endocarp morphology and anatomy, showing the carpological resemblance to A. echinocaulis. Aralia stratosa sp. nov. represents the first confirmed fossil record from lower latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. This implies a southerly biogeographical range for this genus than was previously interpreted. The fossil record of Aralia suggests a Cretaceous origin in North America and an Eocene dispersal to eastern Asia, likely via the Bering land bridge, followed by Miocene establishment in Europe. The genus likely began to inhabit lower latitudes in eastern Asia no later than the late Pliocene, which is in line with results from molecular analyses. All these may suggest a southward distributional change probably associated with the global cooling and northern acidification. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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new fossil Endocarps of sambucus adoxaceae from the upper pliocene in sw china
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2012Co-Authors: Yongjiang Huang, Xiang Hui Xiao, Frederic M B Jacques, Tao Su, Yaowu Xing, Zhekun ZhouAbstract:A new species of fossil Endocarp is described from the Sanying Formation of the upper Pliocene at Fudong Village, Lanping County of northwestern Yunnan Province, Southwest China. The Endocarps are elliptic, ovate or oblong elliptic, 2.1-2.5 mm long and 1.2-1.7 mm wide. The dorsal face is convex and the ventral is concave or more flattened. The Endocarp surface is loosely, transversely or sinuously furrowed and ridged, forming a reticulate and alveolate pattern on the ridges, and the inner wall of the surface cells on the ridges is flaky and scaly. They are morphologically compared with selected extant genera of Adoxaceae and Caprifoliaceae. The interspecific comparisons show diagnostic differences of the fossil Endocarps from the selected modern species and other fossil taxa, supporting their recognition as a new species: Sambucus alveolatisemina Huang, Liu et Zhou, sp. nov. Previous records of the reliable Sambucus fossils were from mid-high latitude regions in Europe, northeastern Asia and northern North America. Therefore, it is interesting to note that S. alveolatisemina represents a fossil record from a low latitude region. Sambucus apparently has existed at low latitudes in China at least since the upper Pliocene. A review of other Sambucus fossil occurrences indicates that plants of this genus have been living at higher latitudes in the geological past than they are at present. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Revised taxonomy of selected fossil Endocarp species in the Menispermaceae using a morphometric approach
Geodiversitas, 2011Co-Authors: Frederic M B Jacques, Edoardo Martinetto, Zhekun ZhouAbstract:Several Cenozoic Endocarp remains from the northern hemisphere have been described with strong affinities to either Menispermum L. or Sinomenium Die Is, a monophyletic group of menispermous vines. It has been proposed that all of these fossil species are synonymous and should be included within Sinomenium. In order to evaluate this suggestion, we have studied the morphological variation ranges in the menispermous Endocarps with geometric morphometrics, and then the ranges of the selected fossil Endocarps is compared to the ranges of modern Endocarps. The shape of each Endocarp is described using eight landmarks and 17 semilandmarks, accounting for the outline and the positions of lateral ridge and foramen on the Endocarps. Endocarp ornamentation is studied by statistical comparisons of the number of transverse ridges. It is concluded that the ranges of variation within the fossil genera, all morphologically related to horseshoe-shaped Endocarps in Menispermaceae, are found not to be greater than that in the only extant species of Sinomenium, S. acutum (Thunb.) Rehder & Wilson. Sinomenium macrocarpum Liu & Jacques, 2010 differs from the other fossil species of Sinomenium by its higher number of transverse ridges. All other fossil species of Sinomenium, except S. macrocarpum, and Wardensheppeya Eyde, 1970 are synonymous. Menispermum? taylori Chandler, 1964 is transferred to Sinomenium. The fossil genus Palaeosinomenium Chandler, 1961 is confirmed through the obliquity of its Endocarp, but all species are found to be synonymous. Menispermicarpum rariforme Chandler, 1961 is also included in Palaeosinomenium.
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Geometric morphometrics: A powerful tool for the study of shape evolution in Menispermaceae Endocarps
TAXON, 2010Co-Authors: Frederic M B Jacques, Zhekun ZhouAbstract:Within Menispermaceae, Endocarp shape is highly variable and often characteristic. This study applied geometric morphometrics to the investigation of horseshoe-shaped Endocarps that characterized the former Menispermeae tribe. The shape of 823 Endocarp specimens, representing 66 species and 16 genera, were described on the lateral face by the means of 4 landmarks and IS semilandmarks. The general Procrustes analysis was used to remove size and orientation of the specimens. Using thin-plate splines, we were able to visualize and describe the variation in shape for each genus and/or species. The main differences concern the symmetry/asymmetry of Endocarp, the relative size of condyle, the relative length of ventral face and the concavity of ventral face. The results fa PCA reveal that for all genera except Diploclisia, generic variability is explained by a continuum in intra- and interspecific variability. Endocarp shape differed significantly between genera, demonstrating the potential for geometric morphometrics in fossil identification. Allometry explained only a small part of shape variation. Phylogenetic content is evaluated by comparing the results of cluster analysis with recent molecular phylogenies. Endocarp shape affinities appear to be quite different from phylogenetic relationships, demonstrating the low phylogenetic signal in Endocarp shape at the family level. However, stronger variation is found in the lineages leading to modern genera. With a known phylogeny, geometric morphometrics is a good tool to understand shape evolution.
Dario De Franceschi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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New species of Iodes fruits (Icacinaceae) from the early Eocene Le Quesnoy locality
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2019Co-Authors: Cedric Del Rio, Gregory Stull, Dario De FranceschiAbstract:The floristic diversity of the Le Quesnoy amber locality (Ypresian, Oise France) remains understudied. Icacinaceae Miers, particularly, require careful study, as they are the most abundant family in the site, with 185 nearly complete lignitic Endocarps specimens and numerous fragments. In this paper, we recognise three species of Icacinaceae, two of which are new, that belong to the genus Iodes. Indeed, all Iodes species from this site have the following diagnostic characters: a vascular bundle inside the Endocarp wall, a reticulum of external ridges, and papillae on the surface of the locule. Iodes rigida sp. nov differs from the others in having a hole at the apex, a pattern of reticulation that delimits some areoles, an “I-Beam” ridge structure, and punctuated and heterogeneous sessile, rounded papillae. Iodes acuta sp. nov. is distinct from the others due to its unique apical outgrowth (composed of the main ridge that runs from the base up to the apex and a protuberance from the keel merged), a very thin wall, and sharp ridges. Therefore, these new species have a combination of new morpho-anatomical characters never observed before and not found in extant Iodes species. Despite some scarce differences, some specimens from Le Quesnoy are attributed to I. parva. Finally, several seeds are recognised as Icacinaceae without particular affinity. These seeds are elliptical in shape, lenticular in transverse section, and slightly asymmetrical to completely asymmetrical at the apex. A review of the Iodes fossil record is provided. The significance of Endocarp ridge morphology is discussed in light of new fossils and extant data. These fossils show affinities with representatives from other Eocene sites of Europe and with the Thanetian Rivecourt site (Oise, France) and appear to have mixed affinities with the modern floras of Asia and Africa. Other studies on this remarkable site, focusing on additional taxonomic groups, are necessary to elucidate the relationship between Le Quesnoy and other floras from the past and the present.
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new species of iodes fruits icacinaceae from the early eocene le quesnoy locality oise france
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2019Co-Authors: Cedric Del Rio, Gregory W. Stull, Dario De FranceschiAbstract:The floristic diversity of the Le Quesnoy amber locality (Ypresian, Oise France) remains understudied. Icacinaceae Miers, particularly, require careful study, as they are the most abundant family in the site, with 185 nearly complete lignitic Endocarps specimens and numerous fragments. In this paper, we recognise three species of Icacinaceae, two of which are new, that belong to the genus Iodes. Indeed, all Iodes species from this site have the following diagnostic characters: a vascular bundle inside the Endocarp wall, a reticulum of external ridges, and papillae on the surface of the locule. Iodes rigida sp. nov differs from the others in having a hole at the apex, a pattern of reticulation that delimits some areoles, an “I-Beam” ridge structure, and punctuated and heterogeneous sessile, rounded papillae. Iodes acuta sp. nov. is distinct from the others due to its unique apical outgrowth (composed of the main ridge that runs from the base up to the apex and a protuberance from the keel merged), a very thin wall, and sharp ridges. Therefore, these new species have a combination of new morpho-anatomical characters never observed before and not found in extant Iodes species. Despite some scarce differences, some specimens from Le Quesnoy are attributed to I. parva. Finally, several seeds are recognised as Icacinaceae without particular affinity. These seeds are elliptical in shape, lenticular in transverse section, and slightly asymmetrical to completely asymmetrical at the apex. A review of the Iodes fossil record is provided. The significance of Endocarp ridge morphology is discussed in light of new fossils and extant data. These fossils show affinities with representatives from other Eocene sites of Europe and with the Thanetian Rivecourt site (Oise, France) and appear to have mixed affinities with the modern floras of Asia and Africa. Other studies on this remarkable site, focusing on additional taxonomic groups, are necessary to elucidate the relationship between Le Quesnoy and other floras from the past and the present.
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Macroflora from the latest Paleocene of the Petit Pâtis quarry in Rivecourt.
2014Co-Authors: Thierry Smith, Dario De Franceschi, Florence Quesnel, Gaël De Plöeg, Grégoire Métais, Eric De Bast, Floréal Solé, Annelise Folie, Anaïs Boura, Julien ClaudeAbstract:(A) Lauraceae, cupule RIV.PPB 1, Litsea pyriformis Reid & Chandler; (B–D) Arecaceae (B) RIV.PPB 2, Palmospermum excavatum R. & C.; (C) RIV.PPB 3, Phoenix sp.; (D) RIV.PPB 4, Oncosperma anglica R. & C.; (E) Schisandraceae, fruit RIV.PPB 5, Schisandra sp; (F–G) Menispermaceae, Endocarps (F) RIV.PPB 6, Wardensheppeya davisii (Chandler) Eyde, (G) RIV.PPB 7, Stephania sp.; (H–I) Vitaceae, seeds (H) RIV.PPB 8, Ampelocissus sp., (I) RIV.PPB 9, Vitis sp.; (J) RIV.PPB 10, Juglandicarya R. & C.; (K–M) Betulaceae, fruits cf. Palaeocarpinus sp.; (K) RIV.PPB 11, view of the two sides of the same fruit, (L) RIV.PPB 12, a different fruit showing a thinner base; (M) RIV.PPB 13, inner part of an open fruit; (N) ?Fabaceae RIV.PPB 14, seed fragment; (O) Fabaceae RIV.PPB 15, seed with attached arillode; (P) Euphorbiaceae, fruit RIV.PPB 16, Euphorbiotheca sp.; (Q) Anacadiaceae, Endocarp RIV.PPB 17, aff. Lannea sp.; (R–T) Icacinaceae, Endocarps (R–S) RIV.PPB 18, Iodes cf. multireticulata R. & C. in lateral and base views; (T) RIV.PPB 19, Iodes sp. 1; (U) ?Lamideae, fruit RIV.PPB 20, Carpolites sp. 1; (V) ?Cornaceae/?Mastixiaceae, fruit RIV.PPB 21, Carpolites sp.2. All figures, scale bars = 1 mm.
Cedric Del Rio - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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New species of Iodes fruits (Icacinaceae) from the early Eocene Le Quesnoy locality
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2019Co-Authors: Cedric Del Rio, Gregory Stull, Dario De FranceschiAbstract:The floristic diversity of the Le Quesnoy amber locality (Ypresian, Oise France) remains understudied. Icacinaceae Miers, particularly, require careful study, as they are the most abundant family in the site, with 185 nearly complete lignitic Endocarps specimens and numerous fragments. In this paper, we recognise three species of Icacinaceae, two of which are new, that belong to the genus Iodes. Indeed, all Iodes species from this site have the following diagnostic characters: a vascular bundle inside the Endocarp wall, a reticulum of external ridges, and papillae on the surface of the locule. Iodes rigida sp. nov differs from the others in having a hole at the apex, a pattern of reticulation that delimits some areoles, an “I-Beam” ridge structure, and punctuated and heterogeneous sessile, rounded papillae. Iodes acuta sp. nov. is distinct from the others due to its unique apical outgrowth (composed of the main ridge that runs from the base up to the apex and a protuberance from the keel merged), a very thin wall, and sharp ridges. Therefore, these new species have a combination of new morpho-anatomical characters never observed before and not found in extant Iodes species. Despite some scarce differences, some specimens from Le Quesnoy are attributed to I. parva. Finally, several seeds are recognised as Icacinaceae without particular affinity. These seeds are elliptical in shape, lenticular in transverse section, and slightly asymmetrical to completely asymmetrical at the apex. A review of the Iodes fossil record is provided. The significance of Endocarp ridge morphology is discussed in light of new fossils and extant data. These fossils show affinities with representatives from other Eocene sites of Europe and with the Thanetian Rivecourt site (Oise, France) and appear to have mixed affinities with the modern floras of Asia and Africa. Other studies on this remarkable site, focusing on additional taxonomic groups, are necessary to elucidate the relationship between Le Quesnoy and other floras from the past and the present.
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new species of iodes fruits icacinaceae from the early eocene le quesnoy locality oise france
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2019Co-Authors: Cedric Del Rio, Gregory W. Stull, Dario De FranceschiAbstract:The floristic diversity of the Le Quesnoy amber locality (Ypresian, Oise France) remains understudied. Icacinaceae Miers, particularly, require careful study, as they are the most abundant family in the site, with 185 nearly complete lignitic Endocarps specimens and numerous fragments. In this paper, we recognise three species of Icacinaceae, two of which are new, that belong to the genus Iodes. Indeed, all Iodes species from this site have the following diagnostic characters: a vascular bundle inside the Endocarp wall, a reticulum of external ridges, and papillae on the surface of the locule. Iodes rigida sp. nov differs from the others in having a hole at the apex, a pattern of reticulation that delimits some areoles, an “I-Beam” ridge structure, and punctuated and heterogeneous sessile, rounded papillae. Iodes acuta sp. nov. is distinct from the others due to its unique apical outgrowth (composed of the main ridge that runs from the base up to the apex and a protuberance from the keel merged), a very thin wall, and sharp ridges. Therefore, these new species have a combination of new morpho-anatomical characters never observed before and not found in extant Iodes species. Despite some scarce differences, some specimens from Le Quesnoy are attributed to I. parva. Finally, several seeds are recognised as Icacinaceae without particular affinity. These seeds are elliptical in shape, lenticular in transverse section, and slightly asymmetrical to completely asymmetrical at the apex. A review of the Iodes fossil record is provided. The significance of Endocarp ridge morphology is discussed in light of new fossils and extant data. These fossils show affinities with representatives from other Eocene sites of Europe and with the Thanetian Rivecourt site (Oise, France) and appear to have mixed affinities with the modern floras of Asia and Africa. Other studies on this remarkable site, focusing on additional taxonomic groups, are necessary to elucidate the relationship between Le Quesnoy and other floras from the past and the present.
Yongjiang Huang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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fossil Endocarps of aralia araliaceae from the upper pliocene of yunnan in southwest china and their biogeographical implications
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2015Co-Authors: Frederic M B Jacques, Xiang Hui Xiao, Yongjiang Huang, Zhekun Zhou, Li WangAbstract:Aralia stratosa H. Zhu, Y.J. Huang et Z.K. Zhou sp. nov. is described based on fossil Endocarps from the upper Pliocene of northwest Yunnan in southwest China. The Endocarps are characterized by a semicircular to elliptic outline in the lateral view, an apical beak-like structure bending towards the ventral side, and a transversely wrinkled surface, collectively indicating taxonomical inclusion in the genus Aralia (Araliaceae). The new fossil taxon is compared with nine extant species of Aralia based on Endocarp morphology and anatomy, showing the carpological resemblance to A. echinocaulis. Aralia stratosa sp. nov. represents the first confirmed fossil record from lower latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. This implies a southerly biogeographical range for this genus than was previously interpreted. The fossil record of Aralia suggests a Cretaceous origin in North America and an Eocene dispersal to eastern Asia, likely via the Bering land bridge, followed by Miocene establishment in Europe. The genus likely began to inhabit lower latitudes in eastern Asia no later than the late Pliocene, which is in line with results from molecular analyses. All these may suggest a southward distributional change probably associated with the global cooling and northern acidification. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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new fossil Endocarps of sambucus adoxaceae from the upper pliocene in sw china
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2012Co-Authors: Yongjiang Huang, Xiang Hui Xiao, Frederic M B Jacques, Tao Su, Yaowu Xing, Zhekun ZhouAbstract:A new species of fossil Endocarp is described from the Sanying Formation of the upper Pliocene at Fudong Village, Lanping County of northwestern Yunnan Province, Southwest China. The Endocarps are elliptic, ovate or oblong elliptic, 2.1-2.5 mm long and 1.2-1.7 mm wide. The dorsal face is convex and the ventral is concave or more flattened. The Endocarp surface is loosely, transversely or sinuously furrowed and ridged, forming a reticulate and alveolate pattern on the ridges, and the inner wall of the surface cells on the ridges is flaky and scaly. They are morphologically compared with selected extant genera of Adoxaceae and Caprifoliaceae. The interspecific comparisons show diagnostic differences of the fossil Endocarps from the selected modern species and other fossil taxa, supporting their recognition as a new species: Sambucus alveolatisemina Huang, Liu et Zhou, sp. nov. Previous records of the reliable Sambucus fossils were from mid-high latitude regions in Europe, northeastern Asia and northern North America. Therefore, it is interesting to note that S. alveolatisemina represents a fossil record from a low latitude region. Sambucus apparently has existed at low latitudes in China at least since the upper Pliocene. A review of other Sambucus fossil occurrences indicates that plants of this genus have been living at higher latitudes in the geological past than they are at present. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.