Echinate fossil pollen of Asteraceae from the Late Oligocene of Patagonia: An assessment of its botanical affinity

Abstract

The Late Oligocene Mutisiapollis telleriae, which is the oldest echinate fossil pollen of Asteraceae from Patagonia, was tentatively related to the subfamily Mutisioideae. A detailed comparison of M. telleriae with extant asteraceous pollen indicates strong similarities with both Mutisioideae (in particular the Gongylolepis type) and Carduoideae (some genera of Carduinae) subfamilies. This morphotype, as an example of the exceptional diversity of fossil pollen of Asteraceae found in Patagonia, contributes to the knowledge of the early history of the family.