XVI International Botanical Congess

Antarctica has played a key role in the development and diversification of the Southern Hemisphere floras. During the critical mid-Cretaceous period when Gondwana was breaking up and angiosperms were radiating from low to high latitudes, this region provided the only connection between the east (Africa/South America) and west (Antarctica/India/Australia/New Zealand). The Antarctic Peninsula region has an extensive Late Cretaceous and Tertiary plant fossil record, which in itself is unique to the Antarctic. The existing data for antarctic angiosperm diversification will be reviewed in light of new evidence obtained from studies undertaken on the wood and leaf floras. These fossil floras document earlier occurrences of existing taxa in this region as well as providing data which help in the understanding of Southern Hemisphere angiosperm diversification.