Abstract

PANTI, Carolina; MARENSSI, Sergio A  and  OLIVERO, Eduardo B. Paleogene flora of the Sloggett Formation, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Ameghiniana [online]. 2008, vol.45, n.4, pp.677-692. ISSN 1851-8044.

In the southeastern corner of the Isla Grande of Tierra del Fuego, southernmost Argentina, small outcrops representing Late Eocene-Early Oligocene sedimentation in fluvial environments, are referred to the Sloggett Formation. This unit crops out along the shores of Bahía Sloggett, where it is represented by carbonaceous mudstones, sandstones and conglomerates. A new paleofloristic collection of this site, originally reported by Andersson at the beginning of the 20th, was collected and analyzed, revealing the presence of gymnosperm and angiosperm leaves. Conifers are represented by probable Podocarpaceae and the presence of Araucariaceae is confirmed by leaves with preserved anatomy. Angiosperms, although fragmentary, have been grouped in morphotypes, which are referred to the Nothofagaceae, Myrtaceae and Lauraceae. The Sloggett paleoflora is similar in composition to other contemporary floras, described from southern South America and that originated in temperate to cold-temperate and humid forest.

Keywords : Fossil leaves; Angiosperm; Gymnosperm; Paleogene; Tierra del Fuego; Argentina.