Palaeomohria Spores from the Cenomanian in Patagonia, Argentina

Abstract

We report the first Cenomanian record of Palaeomohria in southern South America. This finding comes from the Mata Amarilla Formation, with outcrops in the Austral-Magallanes Basin, Santa Cruz Province. These spores are described in detail and their affinity within Anemiaceae is discussed. Based on both, the presence of distinctive sculptural features -hollow channeled muri- and the new phylogenetic studies, Palaeomohria is related to Anemia, either Mohria or Anemiorrhiza clades, basal groups within extant Anemiaceae. This new record extends the biostratigraphic range of Palaeomohria to the Cenomanian and increases the taxonomic richness of the Anemiaceae in the Late Cretaceous of Patagonia.