An extinct Eocene taxon of the daisy family (Asteraceae): evolutionary, ecological and biogeographical implications

BARREDA, V.; PALAZZESI, L.; KATINAS, L.; CRISCI, J.V.; TELLERÍA, M.C.; BREMER, K.; PASSALIA, M.G.; BECHIS, F.; CORSOLINI, R.

ANNALS OF BOTANY

OXFORD UNIV PRESS

Lugar: Oxford; Año: 2012 vol. 109 p. 127 - 134

0305-7364

Morphological, molecular and biogeographical information bearing on early evolution of the sunflower alliance of families suggests that the clade containing the extant daisy family (Asteraceae) differentiated in South America during the Eocene, although palaeontological studies on this continent failed to reveal conclusive support for this hypothesis. Here we describe in detail Raiguenrayun cura gen. & sp. nov., an exceptionally well preserved capitulescence of Asteraceae recovered from Eocene deposits of northwestern Patagonia, Argentina. This is the first fossil genus of Asteraceae based on an outstandingly preserved capitulescence that might represent the ancestor of Mutisioideae–Carduoideae. It might have evolved in southern South America some time during the early Palaeogene and subsequently entered Africa, before the biogeographical isolation of these continents became much more pronounced. The new fossil represents the first reliable point for calibration,favouring an earlier date to the split between Barnadesioideae and the rest of Asteraceae than previously thought, which can be traced back at least 47.5 million years. This is the oldest well dated member of Asteraceae and perhaps the earliest indirect evidence for bird pollination in the family.