Tertiary gymnosperms from Tasmania: Cupressaceae

Abstract

Five new macrofossil species in three genera of the Cupressaceae are described from Oligocene and Miocene deposits in Tasmania. Papuacedrus australis is based on vegetative remains from two deposits and cannot be distinguished from the three extant species which are now restricted to New Guinea and the Moluccas. Libocedrus mesibovii is based on an ovulate cone, while L. jacksonii and L. morrisonii are based on vegetative remains. L. mesibovii and L. jacksonii are found in the same deposit, and may represent different organs of the same species, but this could not be demonstrated. These species clearly belong to Libocedrus, which is now restricted to New Zealand and New Caledonia, but are distinct from all extant species considered. Austrocedrus tasmanica is based on ovulate cones, and is distinct from the single extant species, which occurs in South America. None of the three genera have been previously reported as fossils outside the range of extant species. The presence of these genera in the Tasmanian Tertiary signals this region as an important centre of diversity for the Cupressaceae at that time.