Miocene Hymenaea flowers preserved in amber from Simojovel de Allende, Chiapas, Mexico
Por:
Calvillo-Canadell, L, Cevallos-Ferriz, SRS, Rico-Arce, L
Publicada:
1 may 2010
Resumen:
A diverse biota included in the amber of the early Miocene La Quinta Formation, Simojovel de Allende, Chiapas, Mexico, includes nicely preserved flowers of the legume genus Hymenaea (Caesalpinioideae: Detarieae), the same plant that produced the amber-forming resin. Our observations confirm the presence of two distinct species. Hymenaea mexicana Poinar and Brown is characterized by sub-equal clawed petals, and a verrucose and basally hirsute ovary, resembling the flower of extant Hymenaea verrucosa Gaertner (section Trachylobium), an African species. In contrast, the new species Hymenaea allendis Calvillo-Canadell, Cevallos-Ferriz & Rico-Arce is distinguished by its prominent nectariferous disc, and smooth glabrous ovary, thus resembling Hymenaea courbaril L (section Hymenaea) with an American lineage of the genus. Different maturation stages of these flowers are preserved, with recognition of a development series that parallels that of extant relatives. Presence of these two species o
Filiaciones:
Calvillo-Canadell, L:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Dept Paleontol, Inst Geol, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
Cevallos-Ferriz, SRS:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Dept Paleontol, Inst Geol, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
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