New conifer fossils unearthed in Portugal rewrite the Cretaceous past
Paleontologists have discovered fossils of two unknown conifer species dating back 100 million years in central-western Portugal.
A team of paleontologists from the University of Coimbra made a remarkable discovery in the municipality of Juncal in the Leiria district. There, fossils of two previously unknown conifer species from the extinct Cheirolepidiaceae family, which existed around 100 million years ago, were found.
During the research that began in 2022, scientists came across the fossils of a male cone and well-preserved pollen sacs. Large quantities of amber were also discovered at the site. Scientists suggest that other species from the Lower Cretaceous period may be present in this area.
Mário Mendes, a co-author of the study, explained that an analysis of branch fossils made the identification of one of the species possible. Both species of trees grew in wetlands and likely dispersed pollen through wind, although insect involvement is not ruled out, as indicated by pollen found in one of their digestive systems.
Scientists from Coimbra continue to analyze the amber and fossils, hoping to discover more plant species. Their research findings will be published in the International Journal of Plant Sciences.
