Endocarps of Parinari (Chrysobalanaceae) from the Neogene of Northeastern Thailand

Abstract

Five fossil endocarps were collected from late Miocene fluvial deposits in a commercial sandpit in Northeastern Thailand. The endocarps were studied with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and compared with recent and fossil endocarps. We conclude that the endocarps are Parinari (Chrysobalanaceae) and propose two new species, P. hilliana and P. khoratensis. These provide the first record of Parinari fruits from Asia and the Pacific region and indicate that the genus was already pantropical by the Miocene with previous reports of Miocene Parinari endocarps from Africa (Ethiopia) and the Neotropics (Panama).