The oldest record of Juniperoxylon, a cupressaceous fossil wood from the Middle Triassic of Argentina

Abstract

One of the oldest species of fossil woods with affinities to Cupressaceae is Cupressinoxylon zamunerae from the Ladinian, Middle Triassic of Argentina, but the generic assignment of this species was a subject of debate. The main character that is in conflict with Cupressinoxylon is the presence of ray tracheids in C. zamunerae, a character absent in the original diagnosis of the genus. In order to clarify this issue, original microscopic slides of the type materials were restudied herein, and also new sections and SEM samples were observed. The supposed ray tracheids turned out to be parenchyma cells. A new combination is established, relating C. zamunerae to Juniperoxylon due to the markedly pitted ray parenchyma cells walls. This fossil species is the first mention of Juniperoxylon from the Mesozoic of Gondwana and the oldest record worldwide until date.