FUCHSIA POLLEN FROM THE EARLY MIOCENE OF NEW ZEALAND |
| |
Authors: | Charles P Daghlian John J Skvarla David Pocknall Peter H Raven |
| |
Institution: | Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, 73019
New Zealand Geological Survey, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, Missouri, 63166 |
| |
Abstract: | Fossil pollen of Diporites aspis Pocknall & Mildenhall, from the early Miocene of New Zealand, was examined by combined light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy, in order to determine its relationship to extant Fuchsia pollen. Based on overall morphology, exine structure, exine surface sculpture, viscin thread morphology, and apertural features, the fossil pollen definitely can be considered to represent Fuchsia. Parallel studies of extant Fuchsia pollen indicate that a more precise identification of the fossils is not possible. With the examination of additional fossil material, it should be possible to learn a great deal about the timing of origin and migration of the genus Fuchsia, but not of its constituent parts. |
| |
Keywords: | |
|
|