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Abstract Detail



Paleobotany

Hermsen, Elizabeth J. [1].

Taxonomic composition of the Neogene Gray Fossil Site carpoflora (Tennessee, USA).

The Gray Fossil Site (GFS) is an ancient sinkhole deposit that preserves a fossil biota estimated to be late Miocene to Pliocene (4.5-7 million years) in age. The flora is represented by palynomorphs, wood, leaves, fruits, and seeds. The palynomorphs have been documented in several publications, whereas description of the macrofossil flora remains relatively incomplete. While over 20 taxa at the genus or family level have been reported to occur in the GFS macroflora, only five genera (Carya, Nyssa, Sinomenium, Staphylea, and Vitis) have been formally described from carpofossils, with an additional genus (Taxodium) described from leaves. Herein, I report findings of a preliminary evaluation of the taxonomic composition of the GFS carpoflora. Many families or genera previously reported from the macroflora were confirmed, e.g., Quercus (Fagaceae), several genera and/or species of Hamamelidaceae, Polygonaceae (cf. Persicaria), Rosaceae (cf. Rubus), Rutaceae (cf. Zanthoxylum), Styracaceae (cf. Halesia), and an extinct genus with affinities to Symplocaceae; additional components possibly include Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Oxalidaceae (cf. Oxalis), and Passifloraceae (cf. Passiflora). Research on the flora is ongoing, with the goal of producing a comprehensive systematic evaluation of the flora using traditional and advanced techniques (e.g., micro-CT imaging) for visualizing the fossils.


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1 - Paleontological Research Institution, 1259 Trumansburg Road, Ithaca, NY, 14850

Keywords:
Neogene
Gray Fossil Site
Tennessee
angiosperms.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Paleobotany posters
Location: Grand Ballroom - Exhibit Hall/Mayo Civic Center
Date: Monday, July 23rd, 2018
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PPB006
Abstract ID:890
Candidate for Awards:None


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