TAXONOMY AND NOMENCLATURE OF FOSSIL POLLEN FROM THE TERTIARY

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Summary: When names are given to dispersed fossil pollen and spores from the Tertiary, fundamental questions are raised concerning the relationships to modern forms and the effects on taxonomy of the detachment of plant parts. Through the stimulus of increasing international co‐operation, this article attempts to review the response to these factors by Tertiary palynologists over the last 30 years, and examines the problems involved from basic principles. Arguments are presented to encourage the inclusion of details of the geological age in the description of the fossil taxa, so as to help understand evolutionary and stratigraphic processes. It is also thought to be useful to make taxonomic distinction between fossil and modern forms unless there is scientific evidence available to prove similarity. It is important for full discussion to take place before formal changes are made to the Code, and that any alterations are simple and compatible with previous work.