The first Loranthaceae fossils from Africa

Area of Science:

• Paleobotany
• Palynology
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• The early Miocene palynoflora of Saldanha Bay, South Africa, is under re-investigation.
• Previous studies have not identified Loranthaceae pollen from this region or time period in Africa.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize new pollen types from the early Miocene Saldanha Bay palynoflora.
• To establish the first fossil record of Loranthaceae in Africa and infer its paleoecology.

Main Methods:

• Combined light and scanning electron microscopy (single grain method) were employed for detailed pollen analysis.
• Comparison of fossil pollen morphology with extant Loranthaceae taxa from Africa and Asia.

Main Results:

• Several new pollen types were identified, including Loranthaceae pollen, representing the first fossil record of this family in Africa.
• The fossil Loranthaceae pollen exhibits morphological similarities to the core Lorantheae tribe and extant Asian and African taxa.
• Molecular and fossil data suggest Eocene dispersal of Loranthaceae into Africa via Asia.

Conclusions:

• The discovery confirms the presence of Loranthaceae in early Miocene southern Africa.
• The findings support an ancient dispersal route through Asia and indicate potential host availability in the Saldanha Bay region during the early Miocene.