Diverse Cenozoic (possibly latest Oligocene to mid–late Miocene) macrofossils from the Lightning Ridge opal fields are illustrated and discussed. Specimens identified to, or closely comparable with, extant taxa include ferns (Lygodium, Gleichenia and others), conifers now extinct in Australia (Dacrydium, Retrophyllum and Papuacedrus), Lauraceae (Cryptocarya/Cinnamomum), sclerophyllous Proteaceae (Banksia, Lomatia and Grevillea), Cunoniaceae/Elaeocarpaceae and Eucalyptus (and/or other Myrtaceae). Overall, at least four fern, three conifer and 30 angiosperm taxa are recognised. The climate supported many species with close relatives in wet Australasian habitats, including rainforests. However, a drier or more seasonal (?monsoonal) aspect is especially indicated by the presence of lobed leaves that resemble extant species of Brachychiton (Malvaceae), Erythrina (Fabaceae) and tribe Cercideae (Fabaceae). A degree of water stress is also suggested by the prevalence of narrow, toothed and/or deeply lobed angiosperm leaves.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Biological Sciences
Research Group:	Plant biology
Research Field:	Plant physiology
Objective Division:	Environmental Management
Objective Group:	Other environmental management
Objective Field:	Other environmental management not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Carpenter, RJ (Dr Raymond Carpenter)
ID Code:	95325
Year Published:	2011
Web of Science® Times Cited:	20
Deposited By:	Plant Science
Deposited On:	2014-09-30
Last Modified:	2017-11-01
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