“Newly discovered fossils in Argentina have unveiled a remarkable evolutionary biogeography tale involving spurge plants. The spurge family, known as Euphorbiaceae, includes economically significant plants like rubber trees, castor oil plants, poinsettias, and cassava. These recently identified 52-million-year-old fossils, found in Argentina, provide evidence that a specific group of spurges, known as the Macaranga-Mallotus clade (MMC), may have originated in ancient Gondwanan South America before migrating thousands of miles to regions as far as Australia, Asia, and certain parts of Africa.
The prevailing belief was that the MMC had its origins in Asia, but this discovery challenges that notion. Led by Penn State researchers, the study suggests that the spurge family’s journey began in South America when it was part of the supercontinent Gondwana, which encompassed South America, Antarctica, and Australia. As Gondwana started breaking apart due to plate tectonics, the spurge plants found escape routes and adapted to different environments, ultimately thriving in locations as distant as Asia.
The fossil evidence sheds light on the environmental changes and plate tectonics that influenced the distribution of plants and animals around the world. As the climate became drier and colder over millions of years, the plants retreated from Antarctica and South America, but some managed to survive in Australia. With the shifting of continents, these plants eventually reached southeast Asia and other regions. The study emphasizes the resilience of the natural world but also serves as a warning about the current threats of deforestation and environmental changes occurring at an alarming rate. The findings urge prompt action to avoid the worst outcomes for our environment.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Evolutionary Biogeography
What do the newly discovered fossils in Argentina reveal?
The newly discovered fossils in Argentina reveal an intriguing evolutionary biogeography story involving spurge plants. These 52-million-year-old fossils suggest that a group of spurges, known as the Macaranga-Mallotus clade (MMC), may have originated in Gondwanan South America before migrating to regions as far as Australia, Asia, and certain parts of Africa.
What is the significance of the spurge family?
The spurge family, also known as Euphorbiaceae, includes economically significant plants such as rubber trees, castor oil plants, poinsettias, and cassava. They are common in tropical rainforests across Africa, South America, and notably in Asia, providing important ecological roles and nutritious seeds for animal forage.
How does this discovery challenge previous beliefs about MMC origins?
Prior to this discovery, the MMC was considered to have Asian origins. However, the fossil evidence suggests that the MMC’s journey began in South America when it was part of the supercontinent Gondwana, challenging the prevailing idea.
What factors influenced the spurge family’s distribution around the world?
Environmental changes and plate tectonics played key roles in shaping the distribution of the spurge plants. As the climate became drier and colder, they retreated from Antarctica and South America, while plate tectonics provided escape routes that allowed them to reach locations as distant as Asia.
What do these fossils tell us about the resilience of the natural world?
The fossils serve as a reminder of the resilience of the natural world in the face of environmental changes over millions of years. However, they also warn about the current threats of deforestation and rapid environmental changes occurring today, urging timely action to protect our environment.
More about Evolutionary Biogeography
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American Journal of Botany: “The first Gondwanan Euphorbiaceae fossils reset the biogeographic history of the Macaranga-Mallotus clade”
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Penn State News: “Ancient South America-to-Asia escape route for spurge family”
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Peter Wilf Lab, Penn State University
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Cornell University: Department of Paleobotany and Plant Anatomy
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Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio (MEF) (in Spanish)
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Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET) (in Spanish)
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