Abstract
A Fagus ‐like leaf fossil (cuticular compression) with an attached fruit, differing from any known Fagus species (fossil or extant) or other fagoid taxa, has been discovered from the Miocene Clarkia Lake deposits of northern Idaho. Because of its unusual morphology (especially the fruit) the fossil taxon has been described as a new genus and species, Pseudofagus idahoensis Smiley and Huggins. The successful previous use of paleobiochemistry in studies of fossil taxa from the Miocene Succor Creek Flora of Oregon suggested that chemical data might help clarify the taxonomic affinities of Pseudofagus. Indeed, examination of the chemistry of the fossil, Pseudofagus idahoensis , and comparison with extant Fagus species and related fagoid genera indicate that: 1) based on steroid chemistry, Pseudofagus idahonesis does belong in the Fagaceae; 2) like all extant species of Fagus , the fossil lacks the tannin component, ellagic acid, which separates it from other extant fagoid genera, and 3) its simple flavonoid pigment profile places it closest to the extant North American Fagus grandifolia or the European/Eurasian Fagus sylvatica. However, the exclusive presence of an isorhamnetin (3'‐methoxyquercetin) 3‐0‐glycoside, onocerane, and 5 α ‐cholestane imparts a species‐specific chemical character to Pseudofagus idahoensis , which also sets it apart from extant species of Fagus. While the chemistry does not decide the taxonomic level to be accorded to the fossil, it certainly supports, along with morphology and anatomy, the distinctness of Pseudofagus and its proposed relationships within the Fagaceae.
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Claims 5
Claim · model-written summary
Steroid chemistry places Pseudofagus in Fagaceae.
Verbatim
e0“based on steroid chemistry, Pseudofagus idahonesis does belong in the Fagaceae”
Claim · model-written summary
The fossil lacks ellagic acid, as do extant Fagus species.
Verbatim
e0“like all extant species of Fagus , the fossil lacks the tannin component, ellagic acid”
e1“the fossil, Pseudofagus idahoensis”
Claim · model-written summary
The flavonoid profile places the fossil closest to two extant Fagus species.
Verbatim
e0“its simple flavonoid pigment profile places it closest to the extant North American Fagus grandifolia or the European/Eurasian Fagus sylvatica.”
e1“the fossil, Pseudofagus idahoensis”
Claim · model-written summary
Three chemicals impart a species-specific chemical character to Pseudofagus.
Verbatim
e0“the exclusive presence of an isorhamnetin (3'‐methoxyquercetin) 3‐0‐glycoside, onocerane, and 5 α ‐cholestane imparts a species‐specific chemical character to Pseudofagus idahoensis”
Claim · model-written summary
Chemistry and morphology support the distinctness and Fagaceae relationship of Pseudofagus.
Verbatim
e0“it certainly supports, along with morphology and anatomy, the distinctness of Pseudofagus and its proposed relationships within the Fagaceae.”