Sprecher
Beschreibung
The endemic Madeiran and Canarian genus Semele Kunth (Liliaceae; Asparagaceae sensu APG III) is a climber that presents broadly ovate to ovate-lanceolate phylloclades, flowers in cymes usually arising from the margins of the phylloclades, and an orange-red berry fruit. Two taxa are recognized: i) Semele androgyna (L.) Kunth, present in Madeira and the Canary Islands, and ii) Semele gayae (Webb) Svent. & G.Kunkel, occurring in the Canary Islands. Ecologically, extant taxa are associated to the laurel forests of both archipelagos, especially to the Mediterranean (dry) laurel forests. Currently, the palaeobiogeography and evolutionary timing of Semele are poorly known. Fossils that could be used to elucidate these events are unknown. Here we present the preliminary results of the first Semele fossils recovered from the new Socorridos lagerstätten at Madeira Island (Portugal), dated to Late Miocene. Fossils were obtained by deflocculating selected organic-rich sediments with 3% H2O2, washed through 1 mm and 0.3 mm screens, and stored in 70% ethanol. In total, ca. 100 fossil cuticles, stems with attached phylloclades, and partial phylloclades were recovered. Briefly, stem fossils present distichous phylloclades, ovate-lanceolate in shape, primary venation parallelodromous to campylodromous; some phylloclade specimens present marginal inflorescences with attached pedicels connected to a conspicuous submarginal vein. Overall, the described gross morphology agrees with extant Semele species. Future detailed study of the fossils and comparison with extant taxa will clarify the systematic position. Given the age and exceptional preservation, these fossils are expected to be used as calibration points for future phylogenies within Nolinoideae.