A NEW SPECIES OF MALVACIPHYLLUM (MALVACEAE: MALVOIDEAE) FROM INLAND PALEOCENE RAINFORESTS OF COLOMBIA

Authors

  • Laura Maria Puente-Santos Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Ancón, Panamá, Panamá. Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
  • Mónica R. Carvalho Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
  • Fabiany Herrera Earth Sciences, Negaunee Integrative Research Center, The Field Museum, Chicago.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5710/AMGH.11.02.2026.3680

Keywords:

Colombia, Neotropics, fossil leaf, Bogotá Formation, Malvoideae

Abstract

Malvoideae, the largest subfamily within Malvaceae, have a distinct fossil record in South America extending back to the Paleocene
rainforests of the Cerrejón Fm. in Colombia. We describe Malvaciphyllum checuorum sp. nov., a second species of fossil leaf with affinities to Malvoideae, based on leaf impressions from the Paleocene (Selandian) Bogotá Formation in Colombia. Sixty-two leaf impressions of Malvaceae (informal morphotype BF4) were examined. Leaf characters were compared to previously described taxa and affinities to Malvoideae were supported based on the identification of synapomorphic traits of the subfamily. This record is the second species of Malvaciphyllum described from the Paleocene of Colombia and likely occupied the most inland terra firme conditions of the earliest Neotropical forests.

Author Biographies

  • Laura Maria Puente-Santos, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Ancón, Panamá, Panamá. Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

    Earth and enviromental science department, and Museum of Paleontology. University of Michigan.

    PhD. Student. 

  • Mónica R. Carvalho, Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

    Assistant Curator, Museum of Paleontology,
    Assistant Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences

  • Fabiany Herrera, Earth Sciences, Negaunee Integrative Research Center, The Field Museum, Chicago.

    Earth Sciences, Negaunee Integrative Research Center, The Field Museum. 

    Associate Curator of Paleobotany.

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Published

2026-05-28

Issue

Vol. 63 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Articles

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How to Cite

A NEW SPECIES OF MALVACIPHYLLUM (MALVACEAE: MALVOIDEAE) FROM INLAND PALEOCENE RAINFORESTS OF COLOMBIA. (2026). Ameghiniana, 63(2). https://doi.org/10.5710/AMGH.11.02.2026.3680