A diverse assemblage of Miocene Lauraceae in Chalatenango, El Salvador

Abstract

Summary The paleofloras of Central America are little known, and on this occasion, woods from the Miocene of Chalatenango, El Salvador, are reported. The identification was carried out from the elaboration of thin sections that allowed observation of anatomical patterns. Later, they were compared with woods of current and fossil taxa already described in the literature. The fossil specimens presented characteristics shared by several current genera of Lauraceae, so they were assigned to this family. However, since the variability of the woods between the genera of Lauraceae is low, it was uncertain to assign them to the current genera without having other plant organs. We recognize five new species in three fossil genera: Argapaloxylon salvadorensis, Laurinoxylon scalariforme, Mezilaurinoxylon miocenica, M. americana, and M. draconis. In addition, we assign a wood to an already described species, L. chalatenangensis. In Central America and southern Mexico, there is a great diversity and dominance of lauraceous plants in forests and jungles. The specimens described here represent new evidence suggesting that this vegetation type may have existed for approximately 15 million years. However, that current genera cannot be recognized even at this time is striking. A more detailed history of the lineages involved requires a closer comparison of existing plants with extinct ones.