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Paleoflora of the Messel Formation

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an overview of the paleoflora of the Eocene Messel Formation as explored by the Messel Pit excavations in Germany. A former quarry and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Messel Formation preserves what once were a series of lakes surrounded by sub-tropical rainforest during the Middle Eocene, approximately 47 Ma.[1]

Several major monographs on the paleoflora have been published since the early 1900s, with Hermann Engelhardt [de] producing the first leaf monograph in 1922,[2] followed by Heidemarie Thiele-Pfeiffer in 1988[3][4] who provided the first in-depth palynological revision and expansion. Most recently Margaret Collinson, Steven Manchester, and Volker Wilde collaborated to study and redescribe the flowers, fruits, seeds, and other reproductive organs of the formation, with the monograph being published in 2011.[5]

Dinoflagellates

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Only a single dinoflagellate taxon has been described formally from the Messel formation. Based on the predominance in layers where heavy nearshore runoff or slippage is present, its suggested Messelodinium thielepfeifferae was likely an inhabitant of warm nearshore waters in the adult stage or wind and wave action resulted in large accumulation of the cysts. M. thielepfeifferae populations are most prevalent in the older layers of the lake, when it was suggested to be holomictic and become absent in the youngest layers when green algae become dominant with the lake shifting to meromictic conditions and the water chemistry changed.[6]

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Peridiniaceae

Messelodinium

Messelodinium thielepfeifferae[6]

Lenz et al., 2007

A peridinialean dinoflagellate.

Charophyta

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Olaf Lenz et al (2011) briefly noted the presence of the Zygnemataceae fossil genus Ovoidites, but only gave general population densities with no enumeration on species information.[7]

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Zygnemataceae

Ovoidites

Undescribed[7]

A minor Charophyte green algae component of the Messel Formation.

Chlorophyta

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Several chlorophyte green algae are identified from the Messel Formation, with the greatest concentrations being found in the youngest layers. In the older layers Tetraedron minimum is a distinct component of the yearly varves in the lake, with large blooms occurring to form the lighter summer portions of the varve couplets.[7] In the younger layers, Botryococcus species become the most prolific, having taken over as a major phytoplankton taxon from T. minimum and the dinoflagellate Messelodinium thielepfeifferae.[8][6]

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Botryococcaceae

Botryococcus

Botryococcus braunii[8]

Kützing

A chlorophyte green algae.

Peridiniaceae

Tetraedron

Tetraedron minimum[7]

(A. Braun) Hansgirg

A chlorophyte green algae
The main component in the spring/summer layers of the Messel varves.

Pteridophytes

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Aspleniaceae

Asplenium

Asplenium sp.[2]

Fern pinnuels attributed to Asplenium
Not identified to species

Conifers

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Doliostrobaceae

Doliostrobus

Doliostrobus taxiformis[5]

(Sternberg) Z. Kvaček emend. Kunzmann

A conifer of possible cupressaceous affinities

Podocarpaceae

Podozamites

Podozamites eocaenica[2]

Engelhardt

Possible podocarpaceous foliage
First suggested as a cyacad species

Taxaceae

Cephalotaxus

Cephalotaxus messelensis[9]

Wilde

A plum yew species

Basal angiosperms

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Nymphaeales

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Nymphaeaceae

Nuphaea

Nuphaea engelhardtii[10]

Gee & Taylor, 2018

A transitional nymphaealean water lily genus

Incertae sedis

Incertae sedis

Incertae sedis[5]

Seeds of possible nymphaealean affinity
Not identified to species

Magnoliids

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Laurales

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Lauraceae

Laurocarpum

Laurocarpum sp.[5]

Seeds of lauraceous affinity
3 unnamed morphospecies

Laurophyllum

Laurophyllum lanigeroides[11]

(Engelhardt) Wilde

A lauraceous leaf morphotaxon
host to two forms of asphondyliine tribe midge galls

incertae sedis

incertae sedis[5]

Seeds of lauraceous affinity
not identified to genus/species

Magnoliales

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Magnoliaceae Magnolia

Magnolia sp.[5]

A Magnolia species fruit
Not identified to species

Magnolia sp.[5]

Magnolia species seeds
not identified to species

Myristicaceae

Myristicacarpum

Myristicacarpum sp.[5]

A Myristicacarpum species seed
Not identified to species

Monocots

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Alismatales

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Araceae Araciphyllites

Araciphyllites tertiarius[12]

(Engelhardt) Wilde, Z. Kvaček & Bogner, 2005

An araceous leaf

Araciphyllites schaarschmidtii[12]

Wilde, Z. Kvaček & Bogner, 2005

An araceous leaf

Caladiosoma

Caladiosoma messelense[12]

Wilde, Z. Kvaček & Bogner, 2005

An araceous leaf

Arecales

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Arecaceae

Arecocaryon

Arecocaryon messelensis[5][13]

(Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde) Doweld

Palm species fruits
First described as Friedemannia messelensis, a genus jr homonym
Moved to Arecocaryon messelensis in 2021
The most abundant fruit at Messel
known from a full flower to mature fruit ontogenetic series

Calamopsis

Cf.Calamopsis bredana[2]

A Palm leaf
Possibly affiliated with C. bredana

Incertae sedis

incertae sedis[5]

Pinnate palm leaves of possible lepidocaryoid tribal affinity.
Not identified to species

incertae sedis[5]

Palmate palm leaves of uncertain tribal affinity.
Not identified to species

Liliales

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Smilacaceae Smilax

Smilax grandifolia[2]

Unger

A greenbrier

Smilax lingulata[2]

Heer

A greenbrier

Smilax ovata[2]

Wess.

A greenbrier

Smilax reticulata[2]

Heer

A greenbrier

Pandanales

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Cyclanthaceae

Cyclanthus

Cyclanthus messelensis[14][5]

S. Y. Smith, Collinson & Rudall, 2008

A Cyclanthus species
Described from fruits and seeds

Poales

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Cyperaceae

Volkeria

Volkeria messelensis[15][5]

Smith et al., 2009

A mapanioid sedge

Poaceae

Phragmites

Phragmites oeningensis[2]

A.Braun ex Heer

A grass foliage

Basal eudicots

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Proteales

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Sabiaceae

Meliosma

Meliosma sp.[5]

A Meliosma species seed
Not identified to species

Ranunculales

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Menispermaceae

Cocculus

Cocculus lottii[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

A Cocculus species endocarp

Diploclisia

Diploclisia rugulosa[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

A Diploclisia species seed

Karinschmidtia

Karinschmidtia rotulae[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

A menispermaceous endocarp

Martinmuellera

Martinmuellera tuberculata[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

A menispermaceous genus seed

Palaeosinomenium

Palaeosinomenium ornamentum[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

A menispermaceous endocarp

Palaeosinomenium venablesii[5]

Chandler, 1961

A menispermaceous endocarp
First described from the English Eocene (1961)

Palaeosinomenium sp.[5]

A menispermaceous endocarp
Not identified to species

Parabaena

Cf. Parabaena europaea[5]

A menispermaceous endocarp
Fossil similar to P. europaea
Not identified to species

?Pericampylus

?Pericampylus sp.[5]

A tentative Pericampylus species endocarp.
not described to species

Stephania

Stephania hootae[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

A Stephania species seed

Tinomiscoidea

Tinomiscoidea jacquesii[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

A menispermaceous endocarp

Wardensheppeya

Wardensheppeya sp.[5]

A menispermaceous endocarp
Not identified to species

incertae sedis

incertae sedis[5]

menispermaceous endocarp of Tinosporeae subfamily affinity
3 morphotypes not identified to genus/species

Superasterids

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Campanulids

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Torricelliaceae

Toricellia

Toricellia bonesii[5]

(Manchester) Manchester

A Toricellia species.
Endocarp with germination valve

Cornales

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Alangiaceae

Alangium

Alangium sp.[5]

An Alangium species likely belonging to Alangium sect. Marlea.
Not identified to species
Identified from single endocarp, others likely in Messel collections

Cornaceae

Cornus

Cornus orbifera[16]

Heer

A dogwood species

Nyssaceae

Cf.Beckettia

incertae sedis[5]

A germination valve similar to Beckettia
Not identified to species

Eomastixia

Cf. Eomastixia rugosa [5]

An endocarp similar to Eomastixia rugosa
Not identified to species

?Mastixia

incertae sedis[5]

A possible Mastixia endocarp and mesocarp
Possibly included in a coprolite
Not identified to species

Mastixiopsis

Mastixiopsis nyssoides[5]

Kirchheimer

A nyssaceous endocarp

Nyssa

Nyssa disseminata[5]

(R. Ludw.) Kirchheimer

A nyssaceous endocarp with germination valve

Nyssa europaea[16]

Unger

A nyssaceous species

Nyssa ornithobroma[16]

Unger

A nyssaceous species

Ericales

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Pentaphylacaceae

Cleyera

incertae sedis[5]

A Cleyera species.
Not identified to species

Symplocaceae

Symplocos

Symplocos minutula[17]

(Sternberg) Kirchheimer

A Symplocos species fruit.

Theaceae

Camelliacarpoidea

Camelliacarpoidea messelensis[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

A theaceous species.
A dry fruit with persistent calyx

Lamiids

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Apocynaceae

Cypselites

incertae sedis[5]

A Cypselites species
Elongated seed with wind dispersal hairs.
Not identified to species, 11 specimens known

Bignoniaceae

Darmstadtia

Darmstadtia biseriata[5]

A catalpa species.
Pods with dry seeds lacking wind dispersal wings
Described from2 specimens

Icacinaceae Palaeohosiea

Palaeohosiea bilinica[5]

(Ettingshausen) Kvaček & Bůžek

A phytocrenaceous species.
known from endocarps

incertae sedis[5]

A Palaeohosiea endocarp.
Not identified to species

Cleyera

incertae sedis[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

A Cleyera species.
Not identified to species

Icacinicarya

Icacinicarya densipunctata[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

An icacinaceous species.

Icacinicarya tiffneyi[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

An icacinaceous species.
endocarp with a preserved layer of soft tissue

incertae sedis[5]

An Icacinicarya endocarp.
Not identified to species

Cf. Natsiatum

incertae sedis[5]

An endocarp similar to Natsiatum.
Not identified to species

Palaeophytocrene

incertae sedis[5]

A Palaeophytocrene endocarp.
Not identified to species

Phytocrene

Phytocrene punctilinearis[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

A Phytocrene species.

Pyrenacantha

"Species 1"[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

An unnamed Pyrenacantha species.
endocarp with a preserved layer of soft tissue

"Species 2"[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

An unnamed Pyrenacantha species.
endocarp without a preserved layer of soft tissue

Cf. Pyrenacantha

incertae sedis[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

An endocarp similar to Pyrenacantha.
not identified to species

Superrosids

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Fabids

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Cannabaceae

Aphananthe

Cf.Aphananthe tenuicostata[5]

A hemp relative fruit.
Similar to Aphananthe tenuicostata

Celastraceae Celastrus

Celastrus elaenus[18]

Unger

A Celastrus species.

Celastrus friedrichi[18]

Wonnacott

A Celastrus species.

Celastrus illicinoides[18]

Engelhardt

A Celastrus species.

Celastrus oxyphyllus[18]

Unger

A Celastrus species.

Elaeodendron

Elaeodendron degener[18]

(Unger) Ettingshausen

An Elaeodendron species.

Elaeodendron dryadum[18]

Ettingshausen

An Elaeodendron species.
Similar to the living E. orientale

Elaeodendron obovatifolium[18]

Engelhardt

An Elaeodendron species.

Euonymus

Euonymus heerii[18]

Ettingshausen

A Euonymus species.

Elaeocarpaceae

Sloanea

Sloanea messelensis[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

A Sloanea species fruit.

Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbiotheca

Euphorbiotheca gothii[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

Trilocular euphorb fruits.

Fabaceae

Mimosites

Mimosites spiegeli[5]

Engelhardt

A caesalpinioid legume species pod.

Leguminocarpon

Leguminocarpon herendeenii[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

A legume species pod.

Leguminocarpon sp.[5]

Legume species pods.
2 mophotypes noted
not identified to species

Juglandaceae

Cruciptera

Cruciptera schaarschmidtii[5]

Manchester, Collinson, & Goth

A juglandaceous winged fruit.

Hooleya

Hooleya sp.[5]

A juglandaceous fruiting raceme.
Not identified to species.

Palaeocarya

Palaeocarya sp.[5]

A juglandaceous fruit.
Not identified to species.

Rhamnaceae

Berchemia

Berchemia mellerae[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

A Berchemia buckthorn species fruit.

Rosaceae

Prunus

Prunus pereger[19]

Unger

A cherry relative

Ulmaceae

Cedrelospermum

Cedrelospermum leptospermum[5]

(Ettingshausen) Manchester emend. Wilde & Manchester

An ulmaceous elm relative fruit.

Malvids

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Anacardiaceae

Anacardium

Anacardium germanicum[5]

Manchester, Wilde & Collinson

A cashew species.
The first European record of the genus
Known from at least 16 fruits and hypocarps

Lannea

Lannea hessenensis[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

A Lannea species.
Fruits are unilocular, separating them from Lannea europaea
23 specimens in the type series

Mangifera

Mangifera tertiaria[20]

Ettingshausen

A mango relative.

Pentoperculum

Pentoperculum minimus[5]

(Reid & Chandler) Manchester

A spondiadeous cashew relative.
Rounded-pentangular fruits in transverse cross-section
Identified from 7 fossils

Pleiogynium

Pleiogynium mitchellii[5]

(Reid & Chandler) Manchester

A Pleiogynium species.
A larger spondiadeous fruit with 10 germination valves
Described from the holotype only

Rhus

Rhus meriani[20]

Heer

A sumac relative.

Rhus saportana[20]

Pilar

A sumac relative.

Rhus ternata[20]

Engelhardt

A sumac relative.

Tapiscia

Tapiscia pusilla[5]

(Reid & Chandler) Mai

A Tapiscia species fruit.
Some fruits possibly preserved in coprolites

Burseraceae

Bursericarpum

Bursericarpum species[5]

A Bursericarpum species endocarp.
Not identified to species

Canarium

Canarium sp.[5]

A Canarium species endocarp.
Not identified to species

Malvaceae Byttneriopsis

Byttneriopsis daphnogenes[21]

(Ettingshausen) Kvaček & Wilde

A malvaceous leaf morphotaxon

Byttneriopsis spiegelii[21]

(Ettingshausen) Kvaček & Wilde

A malvaceous leaf morphotaxon

Byttneriopsis steuerii[21]

Kvaček & Wilde

A malvaceous leaf morphotaxon

Rutaceae

Rutaspermum

Rutaspermum chandleri[5]

Collinson & Gregor

A citrus family seed.

Toddalia

Toddalia ovata[22]

Wilde

A Toddalia leaf morphospecies
Host to Phytomyzites schaarschmidti trace fossils -
leaf mines attributed to agromyzid flies

Cf. Toddalia

incertae sedis[5]

A Seed similar to Toddalia.
Not identified to genus/species

Sapindaceae

Dodonaea

Dodonaea salicites[23]

Ettingshausen

A Dodonaea species

Sapindus

Sapindus cupanioides[23]

Ettingshausen

A Sapindus species

Sapindus dubius[23]

Unger

A Sapindus species

Sapindus firmifolius[23]

Engelhardt

A Sapindus species

Sapindus heliconius[23]

Unger

A Sapindus species

Thouinia

Thouinia occidentalis[23]

Engelhardt

A Thouinia species

Simaroubaceae

Ailanthus

Ailanthus confucii[5]

Unger

An Ailanthus seed.

Myrtales

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Lythraceae

Cf. Decodon

Incertae sedis[5]

Seeds of similar morphology to Decodon[5] Not identified to species

Saxifragales

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Altingiaceae

Steinhauera

Steinhauera subglobosa[5]

Presl emend Mai, 1968

A sweet gum species.
Raceme with at least 7 infructecences

Hamamelidaceae

Mytilaria

Mytilaria boglei[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

A Mytilaria species infructecence.

Corylopsis

Corylopsis maii[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

A winter hazel species infructecence.

Corylopsis waltheri[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

Isolated winter hazel species seeds.

Vitaceae

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Vitaceae

Ampelopsis

Ampelopsis sp.[5]

A peppervine species seed.
not identified to species

Cayratia

Cayratia jungii[5]

(Gregor) Chen & Manchester

A Cayratia species seed.

Crassivitisemen

Crassivitisemen wildei[5]

(Chen & Manchester) Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

Vitaceous species fruits and seeds.
Fruits with soft tissue preservation

Palaeovitis

Palaeovitis sp.[5]

A vitaceous species seed.
not identified to species

Parthenocissus

Parthenocissus britannica[5]

(Heer) Chandler, 1957

Virginia creeper species fruits and seeds.

Vitis

Vitis messelensis[5]

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

Grape species fruits and seeds.
Some specimens preserved in coprolites

Incertae sedis

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Carpolitus is a plant morphogenus circumscribed for fossil fruits and seeds that are distinct but not identifiable to defined taxa. Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde (2012) described but did not name 63 distinct Carpolithus morphotypes from the Messel Formation.

Genus Species Authority Notes Image
Carpolithus

Carpolithus anacardiaceus[20]

Engelhardt

Doubtfully referred to Anacardiaceae per Edwards & Wonnacott (1935)

Carpolithus callosaeoides[5]

(Engelhardt)

A Carpolithus species with thick woody tissues

Carpolithus drupaceus[19]

Engelhardt

A fruit of possible rosaceous affinity

Carpolithus euphoriaeoides[23]

Engelhardt

A Carpolithus species fruit
Suggested to be similar to Euphoria

Carpolithus sapindiformis[23]

Engelhardt

A Carpolithus species fruit
Suggested to possibly be affiliated to Sapindus leaves

Carpolithus sapindoides[23]

Engelhardt

A Carpolithus species fruit
Suggested to possibly be comparable to Sapindus fruits

Species 1–62[5]

various distinct morphotypes

Lagokarpos

incertae sedis[24]

A Lagokarpos species winged fruit
Not identified to species

Saportaspermum

Saportaspermum kovacsiae[21][5]

A Saportaspermum species winged seed
Suggested to have malvaceous affinity

Spirellea

incertae sedis[5]

A Spirellea species seed
Not identified to species

Pollen and spores

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The first foray into Messel palynology was produced by H. D. Pflug (1952)[25] with follow-up papers in 1957[26] and coauthored with P. Thomas in 1953.[27] The pollen and spore record was revised and expanded by Heidemarie Thiele-Pfeiffer (1988)[4] who provided the largest in depth palynological work focusing exclusively on the Messel Formation.

Pteridophyte spores

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Osmundaceae

Baculatisporites

Baculatisporites primarius[3]

(Wolff) Thomson & Pflug

A royal fern palynospecies

Polypodiaceae Polypodiaceoisporites

Polypodiaceoisporites gracillimus[3]

Nagy

Fern spores polypodiaceous affinity

Polypodiaceoisporites lusaticus[3]

Krutzsch

Fern spores polypodiaceous affinity

Schizaeaceae Cicatricosisporites

Cicatricosisporites dorogensis[3]

Potonié & Gelletich

A schizaeaceous fern palynospecies

Cicatricosisporites paradorogensis[3]

Krutzsch

A schizaeaceous fern palynospecies

Microfoveolatosporis

Microfoveolatosporis granuloides[3]

(Krutzsch) Krutzsch

A schizaeaceous fern palynospecies

?Schizaeaceae

Ischyosporites

Ischyosporites tertiarius[3]

Krutzsch

A palynospecies of possible schizaeaceous fern affinity

incertae sedis Laevigatosporites

Laevigatosporites discordatus[3]

Pflug

A palynospecies of possible Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity

Laevigatosporites haardtii[3]

(Potonié & Venitz) Thomson & Pflug

A palynospecies of possible Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity

Leiotriletes

Leiotriletes kopeckii[3][7]

Kedves

Fern spores of Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity

Leiotriletes maxoides[3][7]

Krutzsch

Fern spores of Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity

Leiotriletes microadriennis[3][7]

Krutzsch

Fern spores of Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity

Leiotriletes triangulus[3][7]

Murriger & Pflug

Fern spores of Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity

Leiotriletes sp.[3][7]

Fern spores of Schizaeaceae and Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity
A palynomorph component in zone 1 of the Messel Formation.

Lycophyte spores

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Selaginellaceae

Echinatisporis

Echinatisporis hungaricus[3]

Kedves

A spikemoss palynospecies

Conifer pollens

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Cupressaceae

Cupressacites

Cupressacites insulipapillatus[3]

(Trevisan) Krutzsch

A taxodioid cypress family palynospecies

Inaperturopollenites

Inaperturopollenites concedipites[3]

(Wodehouse) Krutzsch

A taxodioid cypress family palynospecies

Inaperturopollenites verrupapillatus[3]

Trevisan

A taxodioid cypress family palynospecies

Pinaceae Pityosporites

Pityosporites labdacus[3][7]

(Potonié) Thomson & Pflug

A pine family palynomorph.
A component in zone 1–3 of the Messel Formation.

Pityosporites microalatus[3]

(Potonié) Thomson Pflug

A pine family palynomorph.

Basal angiosperm pollens

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Nymphaeaceae

Monocolpopollenites

Monocolpopollenites crassiexinus[3]

Thiele-Pfeiffer

A waterlily family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Nymphaea

Chloranthalean pollens

[edit]
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Chloranthaceae

Emmapollis

Emmapollis pseudoemmaensis[3]

Thiele-Pfeiffer

A chloranthaceous palynomorph
Possibly affiliated with Ascarina or Ascarinopsis

Magnoliid pollens

[edit]
Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image

Magnoliaceae

Magnolipollis

Magnolipollis magnolioides[3]

Krutzsch

A magnolia family palynospecies
Possible affiliated with Magnolia or Michelia

Monocot pollens

[edit]

Alismatalean pollens

[edit]
Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image

Hydrocharitaceae

Punctilongisulcites

Punctilongisulcites microechinatus[3][7]

Thiele-Pfeiffer

A frogbit palynomorph
A component in zone 1 of the Messel Formation.
Possibly affiliated with Blyxa, Ottelia, or Stratiotes

Arecalean pollens

[edit]
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Arecaceae

Monocolpopollenites

Monocolpopollenites tranquillus[3]

(Potonié) Thomson & Pflug

A palm family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Phoenix

Commelinid pollens

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Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image
Cyperaceae Cyperaceaepollis

Cyperaceaepollis germanicus[3]

Krutzsch

A sedge family palynospecies
Affiliated with Carex or possibly Lepironia

Unnamed[3]

Krutzsch

A sedge family palynomorph
of uncertain generic affinity

Restionaceae Milfordia

Milfordia incerta

(Thomson & Pflug) Krutzsch

A restiad family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Hypolaena, Leptocarpus, Lepyrodia, or Restio

Milfordia minima

Krutzsch

A restiad family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Lyginia

Superasterid pollens

[edit]

Campanulid pollens

[edit]
Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image
Aquifoliaceae Ilexpollenites

Ilexpollenites iliacus[3]

(Potonié) Thiergart

A holly family pollen
Affiliated with Ilex

Ilexpollenites margaritatus[3]

(Potonié) Thiergart

A holly family pollen
Possibly affiliated Ilex mucronata

Ilexpollenites propinquus[3]

(Potonié) Potonié

A holly family pollen
Possibly affiliated Ilex mucronata

Araliaceae Araliaceoipollenites

Araliaceoipollenites euphori[3]

(Potonié) Potonié

An araliaceous pollen

Araliaceoipollenites reticuloides[3]

Thiele-Pfeiffer

An araliaceous pollen

Cornalean pollens

[edit]
Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image

Nyssaceae

Nyssapollenites

Nyssapollenites kruschii[3]

Potonié

A nyssaceous palynospecies.
Two described subspecies N. k. subsp. accessorius & N. k. subsp. analepticus

Ericalean pollens

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Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image
Ericaceae Ericipites

Ericipites callidus[7]

(Potonié) Krutzsch

A heather/heath family palynomorph
Of uncertain generic affiliation

Ericipites ericius[7]

(Potonié) Potonié

A heather/heath family palynomorph
Of uncertain generic affiliation

Symplocaceae

Porocolpopollenites

Porocolpopollenites rarobaculatus[3]

Thiele-Pfeiffer

A sweetleaf family palynospecies.
Affiliated with Symplocos

Lamiid pollens

[edit]
Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image

Icacinaceae

Compositoipollenites

Compositoipollenites rhizophorus[3]

(Potonié) Potonié

A moonseed palynomorph affiliated with Iodes.

Santalalean pollens

[edit]
Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image
Olacaceae

Anacolosidites

Anacolosidites efflatus[3]

(Potonié) Erdtman

An anacoloseous palynospecies

Olaxipollis

Cf.Olaxipollis matthesi[3]

An olacaceous palynomorph
Possibly affiliated with O. matthesi

Superrosid pollens

[edit]

Fabid pollens

[edit]
Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image

Betulaceae

Polyvestibulopollenites

Polyvestibulopollenites verus[3]

(Potonié) Thomson & Pflug

A betulaceous palynospecies
Affiliated with Alnus

Cannabaceae Celtipollenites

Celtipollenites intrastructurus[3]

(Krutzsch & Vanhoorne) Thiele-Pfeiffer

A hemp family palynospecies
Affiliated with Celtis

Celtipollenites laevigatus[3]

Thiele-Pfeiffer

A hemp family palynospecies
Affiliated with Celtis

Juglandaceae Caryapollenites

Caryapollenites circulus[3]

(Pflug) Krutzsch

A Walnut family palynospecies
Affiliated with Carya

Cf.Caryapollenites triangulus[3]

A Walnut family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Caryapollenites triangulus

Labraferoidaepollenites

Labraferoidaepollenites menatensis[3][7]

Kedves

A Walnut family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Engelhardia

Momipites

Momipites punctatus[3]

(Potonié) Nagy

A Walnut family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Engelhardtia, Oreomunnea, or Aifaroa

Momipites quietus[3]

(Potonié) Nichols

A Walnut family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Engelhardtia

Nudopollis

Nudopollis terminalis[3]

(Thomson & Pflug) Pflug

A Walnut family palynospecies
One named subspecies N. terminalis subsp hastaformis

Platycaryapollenites

Platycaryapollenites miocaenicus[3]

Nagy

A Walnut family palynospecies
Affiliated with Platycarya

Platycaryapollenites platycaryoides[3]

(Roche) Kedves

A Walnut family palynospecies
Affiliated with Platycarya

Platycaryapollenites semicyclus[3]

(Krutzsch & Vanhoorne) Thiele-Pfeiffer

A Walnut family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Platycarya

Platycaryapollenites sp.[7]

A Walnut family palynospecies
Affiliated with Platycarya
A component in zone 1–3 of the Messel Formation.

Plicatopollis

Plicatopollis hungaricus[3]

Kedves

A Walnut family palynospecies

Plicatopollis plicatus[3]

(Potonié) Krutzsch

A Walnut family palynospecies

Plicatopollis pseudoexcelsus[3]

Krutzsch

A Walnut family palynospecies
One named subspecies P. p. subsp. microturgidus
Two unnamed subspecies

Plicatopollis Sp.[3]

A Walnut family palynospecies
Not identified to species

Pterocaryapollenites

Pterocaryapollenites stellatus[3]

(Potonié) Thiergart

A Walnut family palynospecies
Affiliated with Pterocarya

?Juglandaceae

Plicatopollis

Plicatopollis lunatus[3]

Kedves

A palynospecies of possible juglandaceous affinity

Ulmaceae Polyporopollenites

Polyporopollenites eoulmoides[3]

Krutzsch & Vanhoorne

An elm family palynospecies

Polyporopollenites undulosus[3]

(Wolf) Thomson & Pflug

An elm family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Ulmus or Zelkova

Polyporopollenites verrucatus[3]

(Wolf) Thomson & Pflug

An elm family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Hemiptelea

Malvid pollens

[edit]
Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image
Malvaceae Bombacacidites

Bombacacidites tilioides[3]

Krutzsch

A bombacoid palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Bombax

Bombacacidites Sp.1[3]

A bombacoid palynomorph
Described but not formally named
Affiliated with Bombax

Bombacacidites Sp.2[3]

A bombacoid palynomorph
Described but not formally named
Affiliated with Bombax

Intratriporopollenites

Intratriporopollenites minimus[3]

Mai

A tilioid palynospecies
Of uncertain generic affinity

Cf.Intratriporopollenites maxoides[3]

A tilioid palynomorph
Possibly affiliated with I. maxoides

Thymelaeaceae

Pseudospinaepollis

Pseudospinaepollis pseudospinosus[3]

Krutzsch

A thymelaeaceous palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Stellera or Wikstroemia

Myrtalean pollens

[edit]
Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image
Lythraceae Lythraceaepollenites

Lythraceaepollenites minimus[3]

Thiele-Pfeiffer

A myrtle family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Rotala or Ammannia

Lythraceaepollenites sp.[3]

A myrtle family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Rotala, Ammannia, or Woodfordia
Described but not named

Incertae sedis pollens

[edit]
Genus Species Authority Notes Image

Brosipollis

Brosipollis striatobrosus[3]

(Krutzsch) Krutzsch

Possible affinity is to Gomphandra (Icacinaceae) or Burseraceae

Compositoipollenites

Compositoipollenites minimus[3]

(Krutzsch & Vanhoorne)

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

Labrapollis

Labrapollis labraferus[3]

(Potonié) Krutzsch

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

Multiporopollenites

Multiporopollenites microreticulatus[3]

Krutzsch

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

Multiporopollenites Sp.1[3]

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

Multiporopollenites Sp.2[3]

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

Pentapollenites

Pentapollenites pentangulus[3]

(Pflug) Krutzsch

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.
Two known subspecies P. p. subsp foveostriatus & P. p. subsp pentangulus

Pentapollenites punctoides[3]

Krutzsch

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

Pentapollenites Sp.1[3]

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

Pentapollenites Sp.2[3]

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

Pollenites

Pollenites setarius[3]

Potonié

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

Pompeckjoidaepollenites

Pompeckjoidaepollenites subhercynicus[3]

(Krutzsch) Krutzsch

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

Tricolporopollenites

Tricolporopollenites messelensis[7]

Thiele-Pfeiffer

A palynomorph with suggested affinity to Oleaceae or Rutaceae
A component in zone 1 of the Messel Formation.

Tricolporopollenites solé de portai[7]

Thiele-Pfeiffer

A palynomorph with suggested affinity to Rosaceae
A component in zone 1 of the Messel Formation.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mertz, D.; Renne, P. (2005). "A numerical age for the Messel fossil deposit (UNESCO World Heritage Site) derived from 40Ar/39Ar dating on a basaltic rock fragment". Courier Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg. 255: 7–75.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Engelhardt, H. (1922). "Die alttertiäre Flora von Messel bei Darmstadt". Abhandlungen der Hessischen Geologischen Landesanstalt zu Darmstadt. 7 (4): 20–128.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca Thiele-Pfeiffer, H. (1988). "The microflora from the Middle Eocene oil shale of Messel near Darmstadt West Germany". Palaeontographica Abteilung B. 211: 1–86.
  4. ^ a b White, J M. "Thiele-Pfeiffer, H". Palynodata. Palynodata Inc. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci Collinson, M.; Manchester, S.; Wilde, V. (2012). "Fossil fruits and seeds of the Middle Eocene Messel biota, Germany". Abhandlungen der Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung. 570: 1–249. ISBN 978-3-510-61400-4.
  6. ^ a b c Lenz ., O.; Wilde, V.; Riegel, W.; Heinrichs, T. (2007). "Distribution and paleoecologic significance of the freshwater dinoflagellate cyst Messelodinium thielepfeifferae gen. et sp. nov from the Middle Eocene of Lake Messel, Germany". Palynology. 31 (1): 119–134. doi:10.2113/gspalynol.31.1.119.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Lenz, O.; Wilde, V.; Riegel, W. (2011). "Short-term fluctuations in vegetation and phytoplankton during the Middle Eocene greenhouse climate: a 640-kyr record from the Messel oil shale (Germany)" (PDF). International Journal of Earth Sciences. 100 (8): 1851–1874. Bibcode:2011IJEaS.100.1851L. doi:10.1007/s00531-010-0609-z. S2CID 52968593.
  8. ^ a b Adam, P.; Schaeffer, P.; Albrecht, P. (2006). "C40 monoaromatic lycopane derivatives as indicators of the contribution of the alga Botryococcus braunii race L to the organic matter of Messel oil shale (Eocene, Germany)". Organic Geochemistry. 37 (5): 584–596. doi:10.1016/j.orggeochem.2006.01.001.
  9. ^ Dijkstra, S.; van Amerom, H.; Schultze-Motel, J. (2002). "Pars 105. Gymnospermae (6) Ginkgophyta et Coniferae.". In van Amerom, H. (ed.). Fossilium Catalogus. II. Plantae. Leiden, Netherlands: Backhuys Publishers.
  10. ^ Gee, C.; Taylor, D. (2019). "An Extinct Transitional Leaf Genus of Nymphaeaceae from the Eocene Lake at Messel, Germany: Nuphaea engelhardtii Gee et David W. Taylor gen. et sp. nov". International Journal of Plant Sciences. 180 (7): 724–736. doi:10.1086/704376. S2CID 201211546.
  11. ^ Wappler, T.; Tokuda, M.; Yukawa, J.; Wilde, V. (2010). "Insect herbivores on Laurophyllum lanigeroides (Engelhardt 1922) Wilde: the role of a distinct plant-insect associational suite in host taxonomic assignment". Palaeontographica, Palaeontographica, Abt.B: Palaeobotany–Palaeophytology. 283 (4–6): 137–155.
  12. ^ a b c Wilde, V.; Kvaček, Z.; Bogner, J. (2005). "Fossil leaves of the Araceae from the European Eocene and notes on other aroid fossils". International Journal of Plant Sciences. 166 (1): 157–183. doi:10.1086/425673. S2CID 85215526.
  13. ^ Doweld, A. B. (2021). "Fossil Alloceltidoxylon, Allonymphaea, Arecocaryon, Paralnoxylon and Paranyssa and extant Komaroviopsis, Marcanodendron, and Papyrocactus (Magnoliophyta), new replacement generic names". Phytotaxa. 524 (2): 92–98. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.524.2.3. S2CID 243482734.
  14. ^ Smith, S.; Collinson, M.; Rudall, P. (2008). "Fossil Cyclanthus (Cyclanthaceae, Pandanales) from the Eocene of Germany and England". American Journal of Botany. 95 (6): 688–699. doi:10.3732/ajb.2007390. PMID 21632394.
  15. ^ Smith, S.; Collinson, M.; Simpson, D.; Rudall, P.; Marone, F.; Stampanoni, M. (2009). "Elucidating the affinities and habitat of ancient, widespread Cyperaceae: Volkeria messelensis gen. et sp. nov., a fossil mapanioid sedge from the Eocene of Europe" (PDF). American Journal of Botany. 96 (8): 1506–1518. doi:10.3732/ajb.0800427. PMID 21628296.
  16. ^ a b c Kirchheimer F. (2 July 1938). "Pars 23. Umbellifloraea: Cornaceae". In Jongmans, W. (ed.). Fossilium Catalogus. II. Plantae. Neubrandenburg: Verlag Gustav Feller.
  17. ^ Kirchheimer F. (14 July 1950). "Pars 26. Symplocaceae.". In Jongmans, W. (ed.). Fossilium Catalogus. II. Plantae. Verlag Gustav Feller.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h Wonnacott, F. (28 September 1955). "Pars 29. Celastraceae.". In Jongmans, W. (ed.). Fossilium Catalogus. II. Plantae. 's-Gravenhague: Uitgeverij Dr. W. Junk.
  19. ^ a b Kirchheimer, F. (14 July 1942). "Pars 25. Rosaceae.". In Jongmans, W. (ed.). Fossilium Catalogus. II. Plantae. Verlag Gustav Feller.
  20. ^ a b c d e Edwards, W.; Wonnacott, F. (28 August 1935). "Pars 20. Anacardiaceae.". In Jongmans, W. (ed.). Fossilium Catalogus. II. Plantae. 's-Gravenhague: W. Junk.
  21. ^ a b c d Kvacek, Z.; Wilde, V. (2010). "Foliage and seeds of malvalean plants from the Eocene of Europe". Bulletin of Geosciences. 85 (1): 163–182. doi:10.3140/bull.geosci.1170.
  22. ^ Winkler, I.; Labandeira, C.; Wappler, T.; Wilf, P. (2010). "Distinguishing Agromyzidae (Diptera) leaf mines in the fossil record: new taxa from the Paleogene of North America and Germany and their evolutionary implications". Journal of Paleontology. 84 (5): 935–954. doi:10.1666/09-163.1. S2CID 56378236.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i Edwards, W.; Wonnacott, F. (14 July 1950). "Pars 14. Sapindaceae.". In Jongmans, W. (ed.). Fossilium Catalogus. II. Plantae. Verlag Gustav Feller.
  24. ^ Tang, H.; Liu, J.; Wu, F.-X.; Spicer, T.; Spicer, R.; Deng, W.-Y.-D.; Xu, C.-L.; Zhao, F.; Huang, J.; Li, S.-F.; Su, T.; Zhou, Z.-K. (2019). "Extinct genus Lagokarpos reveals a biogeographic connection between Tibet and other regions in the Northern Hemisphere during the Paleogene". Journal of Systematics and Evolution. 57 (6): 670–677. doi:10.1111/jse.12505.
  25. ^ Pflug, H.D. (1952). "Palynologie und Stratigraphie der eozänen Braunkohlen von Helmstedt (Palynology and stratigraphy of the Eocene Brown-Coal of Helmstedt)". Paläontologische Zeitschrift (in German). 26 ((1/2)): 112–137. doi:10.1007/BF03041729. S2CID 140715968.
  26. ^ Pflug, H.D. (1957). "Zur Altersfolge und Faziesgliederung mitteleuropäischer (insbesondere hessischer) Braunkohlen (On the age succession and facies correlation of Middle European, (in particular Hessen) Brown Coal.)". Notizbl Hess Landesamt Bodenforsch Wiesbaden (in German). 85: 152–178.
  27. ^ Thomson, P.; Pflug, H. (1953). "Pollen und Sporen des mitteleuropäischen Tertiärs (Pollen and spores of the Middle European Tertiary)". Palaeontographica Abteilung B (in German). 94: 1–138.