MONOTOCA-TYPE (EPACRIDACEAE) POLLEN IN THE LATE TERTIARY OF SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA

The shrub Monotoca is widespread in eucalypt forests. Monotoca-type po llen is distinctive with a tetrad of one large functional cell and thr ee small aborted cells. Other variations on the tetrad, with equal siz ed cells, the normal pollen type for the family, cannot be confused wi th Monotoca. Fossil Monotoca pollen first appears in the Mid Miocene, when the climate was becoming drier, rainforest was contracting and sc lerophyll forests were expanding.