Phytolith analyses of the main palm species (Arecaceae) present in subtropical regions of South America.

Abstract

Phytolith analyses of the main palm species (Arecaceae) present in subtropical regions ofSouth America. The South American continent has become one of the largest centers of richness anddiversity of the Arecaceae family. The palms are characterized by the presence of opal phytoliths, calledstegmatas, with particular characteristics that identify many of the members of this family. The aim ofthis paper is to describe the phytolith assemblages of the palm species and search the diagnostic powerthrough a biometric analysis performed to globular phytoliths. The results stated that the analysis of leafphytolith assemblages shows variations that distinguish the different subfamilies selected. This raises itsimportance in the interpretation of fossil phytolith assemblages and palaeobotanical recognition of themembers of this family by palaeoenvironmental study of sedimentary sequences.