Protodammara reimatamoriori, a new species of conifer (Cupressaceae) from the Upper Cretaceous Tupuangi Formation, Chatham Islands, Zealandia

Abstract

Mays, C. & Cantrill, D.J., 4 January 2018. Protodammara reimatamoriori, a new species of conifer (Cupressaceae) from the Upper Cretaceous Tupuangi Formation, Chatham Islands, Zealandia. Alcheringa 43,, 114–126. ISSN 0311-5518.

Isolated conifer female reproductive structures are common fossil elements from Cenomanian (ca 99–94 Ma) charcoal- and resin-rich beds of the Tupuangi Formation, Chatham Islands, southwest Pacific Ocean. Recent findings have proposed that these are the oldest fossil evidence of serotiny, a highly successful fire-adaptive reproductive strategy common among tree species living in fire-prone areas today. Herein, we systematically describe the external morphological and anatomical features of these fossils, by employing a combination of manual extraction and neutron tomography techniques. We propose a new species of conifer, Protodammara reimatamoriori, and a re-examination of fossil material of the Protodammara type species facilitated an emendation of the genus. Protodammara shares numerous features with extant Cunninghamia, Taiwania, Athrotaxis, and several extinct taxa of Cupressaceae, and is interpreted as an extinct lineage of the early-divergent ‘taxodioid Cupressaceae’ stem group.

Chris Mays [[email protected]] Department of Palaeobiology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Frescativägen 40, Stockholm 114 18, Sweden; School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Monash University, 9 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; David J. Cantrill [[email protected]] Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Private Bag 2000, South Yarra, VIC 3141, Australia; School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.

Key words:

• Palaeobotany
• ovuliferous complex
• Cenomanian
• fire ecology
• polar forest
• taxonomy

Acknowledgements

Assistance with fossil preparation was provided by members of the Monash Palaeontology Undergraduate Volunteer Program, with special thanks to Wayne Mays and Chief Preparator Chava Rodriguez. Field assistance was provided by Pedro Viegas and Tim Ziegler. Donna and Terry Tuanui, and Celine and Dianne Gregory-Hunt kindly provided support on the Chatham Islands. Type material was supplied by S. Costanza, Harvard University Herbaria. Research supported by a National Geographic Society grant (9761-15) and ANSTO Neutron grant (P5524) awarded to CM; additional financial support from the Paleontological Society and Monash University. CM would like to acknowledge the Moriori people as the original landowners of Rangiaotea (Pitt Island), and special thanks go to Mr Maui Solomon (Executive Chairman, Hokotehi Moriori Trust) for his assistance with the Moriori language.