Menispermites cordatus, a new fossil leaf species from the middle
Author
Fabiany Herrera Smithsonian Tropical Research Institution Center for Tropical Paleoecology and Archeology Balboa Ancon Panama,Scott Wing
Keywords
Menispermites cordatus, Paleocene
Description
Menispermites cordatus
Menispermites cordatus, a new fossil leaf species from the middle–late
Paleocene (ca. 60-58 Mya) of the Cerrejón paleoflora, northern Colombia.
Leaf morphology and venation patterns are remarkably similar to those of the
modern lianas of Menispermaceae. The presence of climbing plants and tall canopy
trees in the Cerrejón Paleocene forest suggests that multistratification
of Neotropical rain forests is an ancient feature.