An update of monocot macrofossil data from New Zealand and Australia

Abstract

The macrofossil record of monocotyledons for New Zealand and Australia is updated on the basis of recent finds. In particular, reports for mummified leaf fossils with good cuticular preservation reveal significant fossil age or range extensions for a number of families in several different orders, including Ripogonaceae in the Eocene of Tasmania and New Zealand (and South America), and calamoid and other Arecaceae from the Eocene of southern New Zealand. There are also earliest macrofossil records for several families or subfamilies, including Alstroemeriaceae: Luzuriagoideae (Luzuriaga), Arecaceae, Asparagaceae: Lomandroideae (Cordyline), Asteliaceae (Astelia), Cymodoceaceae (aff. Ruppia), Cyperaceae, Restionaceae, Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae (Dendrobium and Earina), Asphodelaceae (previously Xanthorrhoeaceae): Hemerocallidoideae (Dianella/Phormium) and Xeronemataceae (Xeronema) from the Miocene of New Zealand. In addition, an Ensete-like seed associated with Pakawaua (Musaceae) and a leaf fragment of a second Musaceae-like species of Miocene age are presented. The biogeographical and palaeoecological implications of these records, especially for tropical or subtropical taxa occurring at mid to high southern latitudes, is discussed. In particular, the role and ecology of the relatively high-diversity monocot fossils in the sclerophyllous swamp forest at Newvale Mine in Southland and the lake-edge rainforest at Foulden Maar are explored.

Orchid historical biogeography, diversification, Antarctica and the paradox of orchid dispersal

“…20°C and supported tropical to subtropical vegetation (Pross et al, 2012). A growing list of monocot genera and families are known to have a disjunct distribution in Australia and South America, represented by extant or fossil taxa, supporting an Antarctic connection (Conran et al, 2015). The origin of Liliales in Australia and the origin of the commelinid orders in South Americathen connected to Antarctica and thus Australia (Givnish et al, 1999) bracket the origin of the orchids and reinforce the conclusion that orchids arose in Australia.…”

“…1). A growing list of monocot genera and families are known to have a disjunct distribution in Australia and South America, represented by extant or fossil taxa, supporting an Antarctic connection (Conran et al, 2015). 20°C and supported tropical to subtropical vegetation (Pross et al, 2012).…”

The formation of the oceanic temperate forests of New Zealand

“…Zealand forests (Reichgelt et al 2013(Reichgelt et al , 2015Pole 2014;Conran et al 2015b). Similar advances in southern South American, Australian and Antarctic palaeobiogeography are developing a comprehensive overview of the floristic evolution of the southern end of the world (Kooyman et al 2014).…”

“…Moreover, most of New Zealand liana and vine species are in genera with strong representation in temperate regions (Clematis, Fuchsia, Griselina, Muehlenbeckia, Parsonsia, Rubus). On the other hand, some features that are regarded by Webb (1978) as good indicators of tropical environments (lobed macrophylls, tall megaphyll forbs, rattan climbing palms) were once present (Conran et al , 2015b and were lost in the course of the Miocene.…”

A Commented Synopsis of the Pre-Pleistocene Fossil Record of Carex (Cyperaceae)

“…Prospecting in this last area would be of critical importance for the understanding of the evolution and diversification of the genus, as it harbours many early diverging lineages . There seems to be no pre-Pleistocene fossils of Carex from Australia and New Zealand (Conran et al, 2015), nor from the Macaronesian islands (Marques et al, 2015).…”