Leaves from the Late Pliocene Sirius Group at Oliver Bluffs in the Dominion Range, Transantarctic Mountains, are assigned to the new species Nothofagus beardmorensis Hill, Harwood et Webb, sp. nov. The plant which produced the leaves was winter deciduous, and it is probable that the wood and pollen of Nothofagus that co-occur in the sediments are conspecific with N. beardmorensis. The presence of this species in Antarctica in the Pliocene suggests a much different climate than at present, since no extant Nothofagus species can survive temperatures below about -22°C in winter, and temperatures must have been substantially above 0°C for a relatively long period during the growing season for the growth and reproductive effort observed. A preliminary estimate of a 13-15°C temperature difference between fossil deposition and the present day is inferred.
History
Publication title
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology
Volume
94
Issue
1-2
Pagination
11-24
ISSN
0034-6667
Department/School
School of Natural Sciences
Publisher
Elsevier Science Bv
Place of publication
The Netherlands
Repository Status
Restricted
Socio-economic Objectives
Understanding climate change not elsewhere classified