Fossil leaves from the cullen formation (Middle miocene), tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina

Abstract

Fossil plants in the Tierra del Fuego province, Argentinean Patagonia, are known since the expedition of Charles Darwin to the Beagle channel. However, only a few fossil plants have been described. In this work, a new fossil leaf collection is studied. It was collected from outcrops of the Cullen Formation (middle Miocene) located in the Atlantic coast of Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia, Argentina. Over two hundred pieces were collected in three localities: Cabo Espíritu Santo, Arroyo Beta, and Cañadón de los Mineros. The taxonomic studies reveal the presence of nine fossil species; six of them are related to Nothofagus Blume (Nothofagaceae), one to Myrtaceae, one to Gesneriaceae and the last one to the genus Podocarpus Labill. Our study agrees with previous ones, which suggested that the Nothofagaceae were dominant in the Cullen Formation area, and support the development of a cold temperate and humid forest in the area. The megafloral association studied result similar to others paleofloras developed in Patagonia during the Neogene, according to the cluster analysis performed. Finally, it was characterized like a Subantartic paleoflora sensu Troncoso & Romero.