The presence of Nypa palms in Europe: a solved problem

Abstract

Some new evidences for the autochthony of Nypa palms were found during a palynologìcal study of Eocene sediments in the Spanish Pyrenees. percentages of Spinizonocolpites Muller 1968 of nearly 40 per cent, a possible phylogenetic relationship between Spinizonocolpites baculatus and Spinizonocolpites echinatus and the appearance of fossil pollen and fruits of Nypa, restricted to the Eocene, make it unlikely that Nypa should be transported along the shores of the Tethys Sea.