Showing papers by "Margaret E. Collinson published in 2008"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the advantages and limitations of using small mammal teeth in palaeoclimate reconstruction studies, including the problems associated with the intake of 18 O enriched water from plant food and from small water bodies fractionated as a result of evaporation.
32 citations
TL;DR: Dietary differences in Plagiolophus and Palaeotherium may explain the differential extinction at the Eocene–Oligocene climatic event.
20 citations
TL;DR: This material represents the first fossil fruits and seeds of Cyclanthus, which clearly was once growing in the Paleogene of the Old World and is another example of links between Eocene Europe and Recent South American floras.
Abstract: The first known fossil fruits and seeds of Cyclanthaceae are described here. Cyclanthus messelensis sp. nov., from the Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany, has discoidal fruiting cycles up to 6 cm in diameter, with a central hole, radiating fiber strands, a thickened outer rim, and paratetracytic stomata. In situ seeds are up to 2 mm long, with an elongate micropylar end, a chalazal neck, and adpressed bands. The Messel fruits and seeds are nearly identical to those of Cyclanthus, differing in minor details of cuticular structure and seeds. The exceptional preservation at Messel (including in situ and isolated seeds) has also allowed us to establish the taxonomic affinity of isolated seeds ('Scirpus' lakensis) that are spatially and temporally widespread in the late Early and early Middle Eocene of southern England. Cyclanthus lakensis comb. nov. is described here as a morphotaxon for isolated fossil Cyclanthus seeds, preserved only as cuticular envelopes. Cyclanthus is another example of links between Eocene Europe and Recent South American floras because it is found today only from Mexico to South America. This material represents the first fossil fruits and seeds of Cyclanthus, which clearly was once growing in the Paleogene of the Old World.
19 citations