Fossil imbricate-leaved Podocarpaceae from tertiary sediments in Tasmania

Abstract

Fifteen new species belonging to five genera (one, Mesibovia, newly described) of the Podocarpaceae with imbricate leaves are described from Oligocene–Early Miocene localities in Tasmania. Nine of these species belong to Dacrycarpus, which is now extinct in Australia, and their living affinities are widespread in latitude and altitude from New Zealand to New Guinea. Three species of Dacrydium s. str. demonstrate that this genus was diverse in Tasmania in the Tertiary, although it is now extinct in Australia. A species of Microstrobos, which is very similar to the extant alpine/subalpine Tasmanian endemic M. niphophilus, occurs in both high- and low-altitude sites, and suggests that this type was once more widespread. The Oligocene Lagarostrobos marginata is intermediate between the two extant species of Lagarostrobos, and suggests a closer relationship between them than do other lines of evidence. Mesibovia rhomboideu, recovered from three localities, shares features with several extant genera, and is of importance in understanding evolution within this group. The significance of the fossils for climatic and vegetation reconstruction is discussed.