AMBER DROPLETS IN THE SOUTHERN ALPS (NE ITALY): A LINK BETWEEN THEIR OCCURRENCES AND MAIN HUMID EPISODES IN THE TRIASSIC

The Anisian amber from the Voltz ia beds of the Recoaro area, produced by Voltz ia recubariensis, represents the most ancient Triassic amber known so far. The discovery of amber in the Anisian localities of Kiihwiesenkopf/Monte Pr?? della Vacca and Piz da Peres, in the Dolomites area, fills a gap in the amber fossil record and contributes to the knowledge of Triassic amber. The finding of amber droplets, both dispersed in the sediment and anatomically connected to shoot fragments of V. recubariensis, demonstrates that during the Anisian this species was a resin-producer and that the favorable conditions for the preservation of resin and plant remains were present at regional scale. The contribution of Voltziales to Middle Triassic resin production in Northern Italy is also testified by the Ladinian amber from the Wengener Schichten of Wengen Formation, produced by Voltz ia ladinica, whereas the Upper Triassic amber from Heiligkreuz Formation was mainly produced by cheirolepidiaceous conifers. The finding of an unidentified inclusion in the amber of K??hwiesenkopf/Monte Pr?? dalla Vacca is noteworthy, although difficult to interpret, and shows once again its capability to entrap and preserve witnesses of past life. Moreover, the correspondence between the Triassic amber occurrences and regional/global scale humid shifts, suggests a cause-and effect relationship, in which the rise of amber production/preservation potential is related to climate/environmental changes, particularly in marginal marine/coastal environments.

Automated summary

The discovery of Anisian amber from the Recoaro area fills a gap in the fossil record and provides insight into Triassic amber. The presence of amber droplets connected to plant fragments suggests resin production during the Anisian. This finding also highlights the potential of amber to preserve evidence of past life.