Cenozoic distribution of <i>Ephedripites</i> Bolkhovitina (1953) ex Potonié (1958) emend. Krutzsch (1961) in Brazil

Abstract

Here we present a critical revision of the occurrence of Ephedripites pollen grains during the Cenozoic of Brazil along with a new interpretation of the palaeo-biogeographical implications regarding the distribution of E. eocenipites, E. fusiformis, E. lusaticus and E. claricristatus (=E. tertiarius) in continental and marine sediments. Morphological features of these taxa, in general terms, differ from those of Cretaceous forms by the reduced number of plicae and thinner ribs. The revision of the Brazilian literature of Ephedripites point to a Paleocene distribution restricted to 30° S palaeo-latitude, whereas from the Eocene to the Pliocene, this genus is found in higher palaeo-latitudes of south-eastern and southern Brazil, attesting its occurrence in vegetation on dry or well drained soils.