New conifer fossils unearthed in Portugal reveal ancient secrets
Paleontologists have discovered fossils of two previously 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, they found fossils of two conifer species from the extinct Cheirolepidiaceae family, which existed around 100 million years ago.
During research that began in 2022, scientists uncovered 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.
Mario Mendes, a co-author of the study, explained that analyzing branch fossils made the identification of one of the species possible. Both tree species grew in wetlands and likely dispersed pollen through the wind. However, insect involvement is not ruled out, as pollen found in the digestive system of one of them suggests.
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.
