Pinus latahensis

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Pinus latahensis
Temporal range: 49.5–49.5  Ma
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Pinus latahensis needles SR 87-61-08 img2.jpg
P. latahensis needles SR 87-61-08
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnosperms
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Pinus
Species:
†P. latahensis
Binomial name
†Pinus latahensis

Pinus latahensis is an extinct species of conifer in the pine family Pinaceae. The species is known from fossil leaves found in the early Eocene deposits of northern Washington state, United States, and southern British Columbia, Canada.

Contents

Age

Pinus latahensis was first described by Edward W. Berry in 1929 based on a compression fossil recovered from shale outcrops in the Republic, Washington area. [1] When published the holotype specimen's type locality at Republic was misidentified as being an extension of the younger Latah Formation, located around the Spokane region, which was then considered to be of Late Miocene age. Roland W. Brown identified that the Republic floras is of an older age and not part of the Latah formation in 1937. [2] The Oligocene age was followed by Herman Becker (1961) while discussing the Oligocene Ruby Flora of Montana [3] and Jack Wolfe (1965) in discussing the Miocene Fingerrock Wash Flora of Nevada. [4]

In a written communication c. 1958, Brown again revised the age still older, stating fossils found in the area of Mount Elizabeth, northeast of Republic indicated an Oligocene age. This age was used by R.L. Parker and J. A. Calkins (1964) on their assessment of the Curlew Quadrangle of Ferry County. [5] Since then the fossil-bearing strata of the Klondike Mountain Formation have been radiometrically dated, to give a current estimate of the Ypresian, the mid stage of the early Eocene, 49.4  ± .5 million years ago. [6]

Distribution and paleoenvironment

In his 1955 review of conifer fossils found in the Princeton coal fields of British Columbia, Chester A. Arnold noted the marked similarities between the Klondike Mountain and Allenby Formations and interpreted the shared taxa of the formations to indicated that the Klondike Mountain Formation was of Oligocene age like the Allenby Formation was thought to be at the time. [7] This similarity was also noted and commented on by Charles Miller (1975) who agreed the Republic and Princeton floras were coeval, and of Eocene age. [8]

Both sites represent upland lake systems that were surrounded by a warm temperate ecosystem with nearby volcanism. [9] The highlands likely had a mesic upper microthermal to lower mesothermal climate, in which winter temperatures rarely dropped low enough for snow, and which were seasonably equitable. [10] The Okanagan highlands paleoforest surrounding the lakes have been described as precursors to the modern temperate broadleaf and mixed forests of Eastern North America and Eastern Asia. Based on the fossil biotas the lakes were higher and cooler then the coeval coastal forests preserved in the Puget Group and Chuckanut Formation of Western Washington, which are described as lowland tropical forest ecosystems. Estimates of the paleoelevation range between 0.7–1.2 km (0.43–0.75 mi) higher than the coastal forests. This is consistent with the paleoelevation estimates for the lake systems, which range between 1.1–2.9 km (1,100–2,900 m), which is similar to the modern elevation 0.8 km (0.50 mi), but higher. [10]

Estimates of the mean annual temperature have been derived from climate leaf analysis multivariate program (CLAMP) analysis and leaf margin analysis (LMA) of both the Princeton and Republic paleofloras. The CLAMP results after multiple linear regressions for Republic gave a mean annual temperature of approximately 8.0 °C (46.4 °F), while the LMA gave 9.2 ± 2.0 °C (48.6 ± 3.6 °F). Princetons multiple linear regression CLAMP results gave a slightly lower 5.1 °C (41.2 °F), and the LMA returned a mean annual temperature of 5.1 ± 2.2 °C (41.2 ± 4.0 °F). This is lower than the mean annual temperature estimates given for the coastal Puget Group, which is estimated to have been between 15–18.6 °C (59.0–65.5 °F). The bioclimatic analysis for Republic and Prionceton suggest mean annual precipitation amounts of 115 ± 39 cm (45 ± 15 in) and 114 ± 42 cm (45 ± 17 in) respectively. [10]

In his assessment of the Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park fossils, originating from an unnamed formation in the Ootsa Lake Group and northernmost of the Eocene Okanagan highlands lake system, Rolf Ludvigsen identified the compression 5-needle fossils as P. latahensis. At Driftwood creek, it co-occurs with the permineralized species Pinus driftwoodensis [11]

Taxonomy and phylogeny

The type description given by Berry was brief, with an image of the holotype fossil printed in conjunction with three other pine species, Pinus macrophylla , Pinus monticolensis , and the dubious Pinus tetrafolia . [1] Specimen USNM P38082 of the Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History collection is the designated species holotype, [12] though Berry did not list it as such in the type description. Based on the erroneous assumption that the shales of Republic were part of the Latah formation Berry chose the species specific epithet latahensis. [1]

In 1961, Becker discussed the taxonomy of P. latahensis in his monograph on the Oligocene Ruby basin flora of Southwestern Montana. Based on the assumption that the Klondike Mountain Formation was of Oligocene age, he placed several Ruby Basin fossils into a revised definition of P. monticolensis. Becker noted that the name P. latahensis was chosen to honor a formation of different age and location then the type locality, [3] and so he opted to suggest synonymy of P. latahensis into P. monticolensis as a whole plant species definition. He noted that taxonomic priority would favor the use of the name P. latahensis over P. monticolensis, as it was the first species described in the 1929 publication, but chose to ignore the rule. [3]

Three years later Jack Wolfe (1964) also briefly discussed P. latahensis this time in reference to Miocene fossils found of the Fingerrock Wash Flora of Southwestern Nevada. Wolfe took a more conservative approach to the fossils, and suggested that all Oligocene to modern fossils that resemble the living Pinus monticola should be considered to belong to that species. As such P. latahensis, along with four other fossil species were considered by Wolfe as junior synonyms of P. monticola. [4]

Description

Needles on the P. latahensis type specimen are 1 mm (0.039 in) wide by approximately 9 cm (3.5 in) long, displaying two faces to each of the 5 individual needles. The needle sheath is deciduous, indicating a possible placement within the "hard" pines. The needles found in the Allenby Formation range 7 cm (2.8 in) or more in length growing from dwarf shoots ranging between 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) in diameter by 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long. [8] In the type description, Berry noted the fossil examined to be very similar to both the living white pine and sugar pines. [1]

Related Research Articles

Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park covers 23 ha of the Bulkley River Valley, on the east side of Driftwood Creek, a tributary of the Bulkley River, 10 km northeast of the town of Smithers. The park is accessible from Driftwood Road from Provincial Highway 16. It was created in 1967 by the donation of the land by the late Gordon Harvey (1913–1976) to protect fossil beds on the east side of Driftwood Creek. The beds were discovered around the beginning of the 20th century. The park lands are part of the asserted traditional territory of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation.

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<i>Sassafras hesperia</i> Extinct species of flowering plant

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Klondike Mountain Formation</span>

The Klondike Mountain Formation is an Early Eocene (Ypresian) geological formation located in the northeast central area of Washington state. The formation is comprised of volcanic rocks in the upper unit and volcanic plus lacustrine (lakebed) sedimentation in the lower unit. the formation is named for the type location designated in 1962, Klondike Mountain northeast of Republic, Washington. The formation is a lagerstätte with exceptionally well-preserved plant and insect fossils has been found, along with fossil epithermal hot springs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allenby Formation</span>

The Allenby formation is a sedimentary rock formation in British Columbia which was deposited during the Ypresian stage of the Early Eocene. It consists of conglomerates, sandstones with interbedded shales and coal. The shales contain an abundance of insect, fish and plant fossils known from 1877 and onward, while the Princeton Chert was first indented in the 1950's and is known from anatomically preserved plants.

<i>Taxodium dubium</i> Extinct species of conifer

Taxodium dubium is an extinct species of cypress in the genus Taxodium in the family Cupressaceae which lived from the Late Paleocene to the Pliocene in North America and Europe. The species was first described in 1823 by Kaspar Maria von Sternberg.

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Acer spitzi is an extinct maple species in the family Sapindaceae described from a single fossil samara. The species is solely known from the Early Eocene sediments exposed in northeast Washington state, United States. It is the only species belonging to the extinct section Spitza.

<i>Carpinus perryae</i> Extinct species of hornbeam

Carpinus perryae is an extinct species of hornbeam known from fossil fruits found in the Klondike Mountain Formation deposits of northern Washington state, dated to the early Eocene Ypresian stage. Based on described features, C. perryae is the oldest definite species in the genus Carpinus.

Klondikia is an extinct hymenopteran genus in the ant family Formicidae with a single described species Klondikia whiteae. The species is solely known from the Early Eocene sediments exposed in northeast Washington state, United States. The genus is currently not placed into any ant subfamily, being treated as incertae sedis.

<i>Equisetum similkamense</i> Extinct species of fern in the family Equisetacae

Equisetum similkamense is an extinct horsetail species in the family Equisetaceae described from a group of whole plant fossils including rhizomes, stems, and leaves. The species is known from Ypresian sediments exposed in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several extinct species placed in the living genus Equisetum.

The paleoflora of the Eocene Okanagan Highlands includes all plant and fungi fossils preserved in the Eocene Okanagan Highlands Lagerstätten. The highlands are a series of Early Eocene geological formations which span an 1,000 km (620 mi) transect of British Columbia, Canada and Washington state, United States and are known for the diverse and detailed plant fossils which represent an upland temperate ecosystem immediately after the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum, and before the increased cooling of the middle and late Eocene to Oligocene. The fossiliferous deposits of the region were noted as early as 1873, with small amounts of systematic work happening in the 1880-90s on British Columbian sites, and 1920-30s for Washington sites. A returned focus and more detailed descriptive work on the Okanagan Highlands sites revived in the 1970's. The noted richness of agricultural plant families in Republic and Princeton floras resulted in the term "Eocene orchards" being used for the paleofloras.

<i>Dipteronia brownii</i> Genus of flowering plants

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Pteronepelys, sometimes known as the winged stranger, is an extinct genus of flowering plant of uncertain affinities, which contains the one species, Pteronepelys wehrii. It is known from isolated fossil seeds found in middle Eocene sediments exposed in north central Oregon and Ypresian-age fossils found in Washington, US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eocene Okanagan Highlands</span>

The Eocene Okanagan Highlands or Eocene Okanogan Highlands are a series of Early Eocene geological formations which span a 1,000 km (620 mi) transect of British Columbia, Canada, and Washington state, United States. Known for a highly diverse and detailed plant and animal paleobiota the paleolake beds as a whole are considered one of the great Canadian Lagerstätten. The paleobiota represented are of an upland subtropical to temperate ecosystem series immediately after the Paleocene–Eocene thermal maximum, and before the increased cooling of the middle and late Eocene to Oligocene. The fossiliferous deposits of the region were noted as early as 1873, with small amounts of systematic work happening in the 1870–1920s on British Columbian sites, and 1920–1930s for Washington sites. Focus and more detailed descriptive work on the Okanagan Highland sites started in the late 1960s.

<i>Alnus parvifolia</i> Extinct species of flowering plant

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Berry, E.W. (1929). A revision of the flora of the Latah Formation (Report). Professional Paper. United States Geological Survey. pp. 225–265. doi: 10.3133/pp154h . 154-H.
  2. ↑ Brown, R. W. (1937). Additions to some fossil floras of the Western United States (Report). Professional Paper. United States Geological Survey. pp. 163–206. doi: 10.3133/pp186J . 186-J.
  3. 1 2 3 Becker, H. F. (1961). "Oligocene plants from the upper Ruby River Basin, southwestern Montana". Geological Society of America Memoir. Geological Society of America Memoirs. 82: 47–48. doi:10.1130/mem82-p1.
  4. 1 2 Wolfe, J. A. (1964). Miocene floras from Fingerrock wash, southwestern Nevada (Report). Professional Paper. United States Geological Survey. pp. N1–N36. doi:10.3133/pp454N. 454-N.
  5. ↑ Parker, RL; Calkins, JA (1964). "Geology of the Curlew Quadrangle, Ferry County, Washington". Geological Survey Bulletin. 1169. doi: 10.3133/b1169 .
  6. ↑ Makarkin, V.; Archibald, S.B. (2014). "An unusual new fossil genus probably belonging to the Psychopsidae (Neuroptera) from the Eocene Okanagan Highlands, western North America". Zootaxa. 3838 (3): 385–391. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.692.1185 . doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3838.3.8. PMID   25081783.
  7. ↑ Arnold, C. A. (1955). "Tertiary conifers from the Princeton coal field of British Columbia". University of Michigan: Contributions from the Museum of Paleontology. 12: 245–258. hdl:2027.42/48297 . Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  8. 1 2 Miller, C.N. (1975). "Silicified cones and vegetative remains of Pinus from the Eocene of British Columbia". University of Michigan: Contributions from the Museum of Paleontology. 24 (10): 101–118.
  9. ↑ Archibald, S.; Greenwood, D.; Smith, R.; Mathewes, R.; Basinger, J. (2011). "Great Canadian Lagerstätten 1. Early Eocene Lagerstätten of the Okanagan Highlands (British Columbia and Washington State)". Geoscience Canada. 38 (4): 155–164. doi:10.1007/s12549-011-0061-5. S2CID   129448108.
  10. 1 2 3 Greenwood, D.R.; Archibald, S.B.; Mathewes, R.W; Moss, P.T. (2005). "Fossil biotas from the Okanagan Highlands, southern British Columbia and northeastern Washington State: climates and ecosystems across an Eocene landscape". Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences. 42 (2): 167–185. Bibcode:2005CaJES..42..167G. doi:10.1139/e04-100.
  11. ↑ Ludvigsen, R. 2001. The fossils at Driftwood Canyon provincial park: A management plan for BC Parks. Denman Institute for Research on Trilobites, 339 Denman Road, Denman Island, BC V0R 1T0 http://www.bvcentre.ca/files/External/FossilMgmtPlan-Ludvigsen2001.pdf Archived 2018-07-22 at the Wayback Machine (accessed July 14, 2011)
  12. ↑ "Pinus latahensis Berry". gbif.org. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
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