58th Annual Meeting AASP – The Palynological Society joint with the 19th Simposio Argentino de Paleobotánica y Palinología

The symposium and annual meeting will be held at the Egidio Feruglio Paleontological Museum (MEF) and its newly inaugurated Trelew Convention Center (MEF- TCC), located in the heart of Trelew, Chubut Province, Patagonia. This modern facility is part of the MEF’s recent expansion, which has tripled the museum’s exhibit space and added state-of-the-art infrastructure for academic and scientific events.

The Convention Center includes a main auditorium for over 800 people, several fully equipped breakout rooms, cutting-edge audiovisual technology, full accessibility for people with reduced mobility, and communal areas for networking and relaxation. Its downtown location offers easy access to accommodations, transportation hubs, and local restaurants.

The MEF itself is one of Latin America’s most prominent scientific institutions, housing a world-renowned paleontological collection.

Its permanent exhibitions trace the history of life on Earth—from its origins to the present—and feature iconic specimens such as Patagotitan mayorum, the largest dinosaur known to date. In addition to its renewed galleries, the museum includes research labs, educational areas, and a visitor center with a museum shop and café.

Just across the street, the National University of Patagonia San Juan Bosco (Trelew campus) hosts the Trelew Herbarium and the Melissopalynology Laboratory, both of which will be available for visits during the meeting.

The meeting will be convened by the following organizing committee:

CHAIR: Ignacio Escapa (MEF, Trelew, Argentina)
CO-CHAIR: Paula Narváez (IANIGLA, CCT-CONICET-Mendoza, Argentina)

COLLABORATORS (in aphabetical order)
Marisol Beltrán (INIBIOMA-CONICET)
Josefina Bodnar (UNLP / UNMdP-CONICET)
Daniela Anabel Calderón (UNPSJB)
Sonia Clara Camina (IANIGLA, CCT-CONICET-Mendoza, Argentina)
Eleonora Inés Cavagna (IANIGLA, CCT-CONICET-Mendoza, Argentina)
Facundo De Benedetti (MEF-CONICET)
Damián Andrés Fernández (CADIC-CONICET; ICPA-UNTDF)
Cynthia Cristina González (UNPSJB)
Ari Iglesias (INIBIOMA-CONICET)
Antonella Melisa Lista (UNPSJB-CONICET)
Magdalena Llorens (UNPSJB-CONICET)
Laila Miguel (UNNE-CONICET)
Sebastián Alejandro Molano Cavieles (MEF)
María Gabriela Murray (INBIOSUR-CONICET-UNS)
Lorena Laura Musotto (INGEOSUR-CONICET-UNS)
Giovanni Cristian Nunes (MEF-CONICET)
Daniela E. Olivera (INGEOSUR-CONICET-UNS)
Noelia Nuñez Otaño (CICYTTP-CONICET)
Luis Palazzesi (MACN-CONICET)
Mauro G. Passalia (INIBIOMA-CONICET)
Micaela Belén Peral (UNPSJB)
Gastón Ezequiel Ponce (UNPSJB)
Cristina Renee Salgado Laurenti (UNNE-CONICET)
Adolfina Savoretti (CIT-TDF-CONICET / ICPA UNTDF)
Eva M. Silva (INIBIOMA-CONICET)
Patricia Lorena Simon (UNPSJB-APN-CONICET)
Sandra Sobrado (UNNE-CONICET)
Gonzalo Román Torres (INECOA-CONICET)
Maria Soledad Vázquez (UNLC)

For information please reach out to aaspmeetings@gmail.com or trelew2026@gmail.com

Patagonia is a key region for the natural sciences in the Southern Hemisphere. Its mix of steppes, mountains, sea shores, and well-preserved geological history makes it a reference area for paleontological research. Fossil sites across the region provide exceptional records that are essential for reconstructing the evolution of ecosystems and biotas from the southern continents.

Located in the center of this vast region, within the valley of the Chubut River and close to the Atlantic Ocean, Trelew offers a unique environment for the development, communication, and circulation of scientific and cultural knowledge. It is situated approximately 60 km from Puerto Madryn, 17 km from Rawson, and 15 km from Gaiman. The city has daily flights to and from Buenos Aires via the Almirante Marcos A. Zar International Airport (Trelew), and additional air connections through El Tehuelche Airport (Puerto Madryn). Trelew also has a regional and national bus terminal, along with a wide range of accommodation, gastronomy, and services, making it a suitable location for scientific meetings of both national and international scale.

In addition to hosting the Egidio Feruglio Paleontological Museum (MEF), Trelew stands out as a hub of knowledge in Patagonia. Just steps away, the Astronomical Center of Trelew offers stargazing experiences and educational programs that connect the region’s past to the cosmos.

The Pueblo de Luis Museum tells the story of the region and Welsh immigration, located in the former airport; and the Municipal Museum of Visual Arts, which hosts exhibitions of contemporary and Patagonian art. These institutions form part of a local network of educational, scientific, and cultural spaces that connect knowledge production with the broader community.

The city features life-sized replicas of two giants from the Cretaceous: Patagotitan mayorum, considered the largest land animal ever discovered, and Tyrannotitan chubutensis, one of the largest known carnivorous dinosaurs. These installations highlight Trelew’s close relationship with its paleontological heritage. All of this unfolds in an evolving urban landscape shaped by history, nature, and a growing orientation toward international scientific exchange.

Trelew is also recognized as a wetland city, with the nearby Cacique Chiquichano Lagoon providing a vital habitat for migratory birds and making it a prime destination for ornithologists and nature lovers alike.

Its historical roots are reflected in the mixture of the Patagonian native peoples’ heritage and the legacy of Welsh immigration, visible in the nearby towns of Gaiman and Dolavon, and in the city’s ongoing relationship with wool production, which remains a key cultural and economic activity.

From Trelew, visitors can easily access some of Patagonia’s most iconic destinations: Puerto Madryn and the Península Valdés—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—offer unforgettable wildlife encounters, including southern right whales. Punta Tombo, the world’s largest colony of Magellanic penguins, lies just to the south.

With its blend of science, culture, and biodiversity, Trelew invites visitors to explore the extraordinary stories of Patagonia—both ancient and living.

Early-bird registration fees

Early-bird registration will be available from December 15, 2025 to May 1, 2026.

The registration fee (USD) covers access to all academic activities of the meeting, morning and afternoon coffee-breaks, and ice-breaker reception.

Category 1: Participants affiliated with institutions in South American countries or with a Category 1 Human Development Index (HDI) ≤ 0.880, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Official ranking

Category 2: Participants affiliated with institutions in countries with an HDI > 0.880, according to the UNDP. Official ranking

Member: Active membership in any of the following scientific societies:

 

 

If you are not a member, and wish to become one, click on the respective society logo to register and qualify for lowest rate.

For Early Career Researchers (ECR) only: students and post-docs
The registration also includes an Early Career Networking gathering for all students and post-doctoral fellows.

ECR Luncheon: If you are an ECR and interested to join this event, please add this item to your registration so that we can get a head count. It is free.

Optional for all
Conference dinner: USD 50

Support Student Participation – Donate USD 100

We invite all members of our community to help strengthen the next generation of palynologists and paleobotanists. By contributing USD 100, you will directly support student grants that provide essential assistance for food, accommodation, or travel. With your support, we can offer more grants and expand opportunities for early-career researchers who might otherwise be unable to attend the meeting. Help us continue building an inclusive and inspiring event for all.

Registration for the 19th SAPP and the 58th AASP–TPS Annual Meeting is now open

Important: This meeting offers two main payment methods: one for participants based in Argentina and another for participants from all other countries.

ARGENTINA

Payments in Argentine pesos (ARS) will be accepted at the official Banco Nación exchange rate in effect on the day of payment.

Payment must be made via bank transfer or digital wallet to the following account:

CVU: 0000003100072085958398

FUNDACION EGIDIO FERUGLIO

CUIT/CUIL: 30-65623655-4

Once the payment has been completed, you must fill out the registration form and upload proof of payment.

ALL COUNTRIES (except Argentina)

Registration and payment will be completed through the following link: REGISTER HERE

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, please write to trelew2026@gmail.com and we will get back to you shortly.

The AASP – The Palynological Society will provide limited travel support for student members intending to present talks or posters at the forthcoming meeting in Trelew (Chubut, Argentina).

For more information, please follow this link: https://palynology.org/student-travel-awards/

Preliminar schedule:

Tuesday September 8^th    Arrival in Trelew, ice-breaker in the afteroon at the MEF

Wednesday-Friday September 9^th-11^th
– A three-day conference (talks and posters)
– Early-Career-Scientist (ECR) event on Wednesday at lunch
– Business Luncheon on Thursday at Lunch
– Conference dinner on Thursday evening
– Mentoring event for ECR’s after the Closing Ceremony

Saturday September 12^th: Post-conference field trip (one full day)

All details on sessions and talk schedule will be posted in August 2026, once all abstracts have been received.

These Thematic Sessions aim to provide a space for discussing specific topics, emerging areas, or innovative applications of well-established approaches in palynology and paleobotany. A session may focus on a particular subdiscipline or present the work of international collaborative groups.

Speakers and Chairs

Each Thematic Session may last up to 120 minutes, which can be split into two blocks of different lengths, with a coffee break in between. Sessions may include one extended talk (optional) and three to five shorter presentations, selected from the submitted abstracts. Additional contributions may be included as posters.

Presentation time (including Q&A) will be 30 minutes for the extended talk and 20 minutes for regular presentations. These times may be slightly adjusted to fit the final schedule.

Sessions must be moderated by at least one registered participant (chair). A second person (co-chair) will be assigned by the organizers to provide technical, logistical, and/or scientific support.

Rooms and AV Equipment

Standard conference rooms will be assigned to General or Thematic Sessions, with necessary AV equipment and on-site technical support.

The organizing committee is currently evaluating the implementation of live automatic subtitles (Spanish/Portuguese ↔ English) to facilitate bilingual participation.

Explore the thematic sessions:

1. FORENSIC PALYNOLOGY

Chair: Leticia Povilauskas (Universidad Nacional de La Plata – Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo)

Abstract: This thematic session will include studies related to criminal cases involving palynological evidence and environmental context, such as clandestine burials, determination of causes of death, homicides, femicides, among others, as well as sampling protocols used at crime scenes. In Argentina and worldwide, Forensic Palynology is an emerging field gaining visibility through high-profile criminal cases and contributing to judicial investigations.

2. NEOGENE MARINE PALYNOLOGY IN THE AMERICAS

Chair: Damián Cárdenas (Universidad Nacional de Colombia)

Abstract: Neogene marine palynomorphs—mainly dinoflagellate cysts and acritarchs—represent valuable proxies for biostratigraphy and paleoceanography, particularly in shallow to marginal marine sequences. Although marine palynological studies have traditionally been conducted in Europe, increasing reports have emerged from the Americas over the last decade. This session focuses on the use of marine palynomorphs to date, correlate, and interpret Neogene strata across North, Central, and South America.

3. RISE AND FALL OF ANCIENT FLORAS: EXTINCTION AND RECOVERY ACROSS GLOBAL BIOTIC CRISES

Chairs: Viviana Barreda, Luis Palazzesi (Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales), Stephen Stukins (Natural History Museum), and Paula Narváez (IANIGLA)

Abstract: This session explores how terrestrial and marine ecosystems responded to major biotic crises throughout the Phanerozoic, including Late Devonian reorganizations, the Permian–Triassic extinction event, the Triassic–Jurassic crisis, and the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary, as well as smaller-scale perturbations. It aims to gather macrofloristic, palynological, and multidisciplinary studies addressing extinction patterns, survival, and origination of lineages, changes in community structure, vegetation-climate relationships, and methodological advances in the fossil terrestrial and marine record.

4. PALEOEVENTS AND EXTINCTIONS IN PALYNOLOGY AND PALEOBOTANY DURING THE PALEOZOIC

Chair: Mercedes di Pasquo (CICYTTP-CONICET-ER-UADER)

Abstract: Spores, pollen, fossil plants, as well as marine and freshwater groups, illustrate the evolution of life on Earth and provide essential paleoecological data for reconstructing environments together with paleogeography and paleoclimate. Floristic changes provide evidence of regional climatic conditions and their relationship with global changes, marked by extinctions and appearance of new taxa that help define events of different magnitude through time.

5. DINOFLAGELLATE CYSTS: APPROACHES AND APPLICATIONS

Chair: Luis Sebastián Agüero (Instituto Geológico del Sur–UNS–CONICET)

Abstract: Dinoflagellate cysts are a fundamental component of the palynological record and have been widely used in geological and paleobiological studies. Their morphological diversity, stratigraphic distribution, and preservation potential make them particularly valuable for reconstructing Earth’s history across different temporal and spatial scales. We welcome contributions spanning taxonomy, biostratigraphy, paleoecology, paleoceanography, paleoclimatology, and paleoenvironmental reconstructions.

6. EVIDENCE OF BIOTIC INTERACTIONS IN PAST PLANT COMMUNITIES

Chairs: Bárbara Cariglino (CONICET–MACN) and Giovanni C. Nunes (MEF)

Abstract: The study of interactions between plants, arthropods, fungi, and other microorganisms is fundamental for understanding terrestrial ecosystem dynamics. In the fossil record, these relationships are documented through traces of herbivory, oviposition, galls, mining, tunnels and galleries, or even microorganism remains preserved in situ, allowing the behavior reconstruction of extinct organisms and plant defense mechanisms. This session aims to integrate available information to interpret paleoecological scenarios and trophic network evolution in response to past environmental changes.

7. MESOZOIC FLORA AND PALEOENVIRONMENTS OF THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

Chairs: Stephen Stukins (Natural History Museum), Amira Chalabe (CONICET-UNS), and Paula Narváez (IANIGLA)

Abstract: The Mesozoic was a prolonged interval of relatively warm and equable climates punctuated by rapid events. This session aims to bring together studies from the Southern Hemisphere to understand how Mesozoic floras inform us about environmental and climatic conditions, contributing to an integrated picture of Mesozoic environments and floral dynamics.

8. FUNGI AND THEIR INTERACTIONS: A BILLION-YEAR R-EVOLUTION

Chair: Noelia Nuñez Otaño (CICYTTP-CONICET)

Abstract: Mycology is essential for the study and reevaluation of extant and fossil fungal taxa. Ecological analysis of fungal communities in palynological and paleobotanical contexts enables environmental and climatic reconstructions. Recent modifications to the International Code of Nomenclature have promoted taxonomic revisions using the nearest living relative method. With nearly one billion years of evolution, fungi highlight the need for deeper systematic and ecological studies.

9. HERITAGE IN FOCUS: CHALLENGES IN PRESERVATION, MANAGEMENT AND APPLICATIONS OF PALEOBOTANICAL AND PALYNOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS

Chairs: Agustina Yañez (Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales), Gonzalo Marquez (Museo de La Plata), Stephen Stukins (Natural History Museum), and Sophie Warny (CENEX, Louisiana State University)

Abstract: Paleobotanical and palynological collections constitute essential scientific heritage and key reference resources for comparative and multidisciplinary research. This session addresses challenges in their preservation, restoration, data curation, digitization, loan management, and legal frameworks, while highlighting their expanding applications, including emerging machine learning approaches. By showcasing current advances and institutional experiences in museums and related repositories, the session seeks to promote best practices, strengthen collections management, and enhance the visibility, accessibility, and scientific use of these invaluable materials.

10. TRACKING THERMAL EVOLUTION IN SEDIMENTARY BASINS: ORGANIC MATTER AS A GEOLOGICAL ARCHIVE

Chairs: Amalia Spina (University of Perugia), Andrea Schito (University of Barcelona), Longyi Shao (China University of Mining and Technology), and Marco Vecoli (Saudi Aramco)

Abstract: Organic particles, including dispersed organic matter and palynomorphs, provide a unique archive of burial, diagenetic, and thermal evolution. Their structural, optical, and geochemical transformations offer critical insights into basin development, hydrocarbon generation, preservation potential, and the long-term evolution of sedimentary successions. This session focuses on the integration of classical and emerging approaches to reconstruct the thermal history of organic matter, bridging scales from microscopical observations to basin-wide interpretations.

11. DISENTANGLING DRIVERS OF VEGETATION CHANGE

Chairs: Sonia Leonor Fontana and Raúl Yuca Rivas (Universidad Nacional de La Plata)

Abstract: Palynological and plant macrofossil studies have documented vegetation changes in response to natural forces, human activities, and internal community dynamics. Understanding long-term vegetation dynamics provides an essential reference for current anthropogenic pressures. This session aims to bring together researchers working on vegetation reconstruction to analyze how different stressors influence plant diversity and ecosystem services.

12. DECIPHERING AFFINITIES: THE ROLE OF THE FOSSIL RECORD IN PHYLOGENETIC RECONSTRUCTIONS

Chairs: Mario Coiro (Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum) and Sebastian Molano (Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio)

Abstract: This thematic session will focus on phylogeny and systematics that make use of the fossil record, emphasizing the integration of morphological, anatomical and/or stratigraphic data to reconstruct evolutionary relationships. We welcome contributions proposing hypotheses of affinity for fossil taxa and addressing the evolutionary and biogeographic history of extinct and extant lineages, including studies that emphasize methodological approaches in phylogenetic inference. The session aims to foster exchange on the role of fossils in understanding evolutionary patterns through geological time.

Abstracts must be submitted exclusively by email.

Each participant may submit a maximum of two abstracts. However, there is no limit to the number of abstracts on which an individual may appear as a co-author.

Use the abstract template (click here to download the file) and follow the formatting instructions.

Please send your abstract to: trelew2026@gmail.com

In the subject line of the email, use the following format:
Abstract – Surname & Surname (two authors)
Abstract – Surname et al. (more than two authors)

In the body of the email, please indicate:
· Preferred format (poster / oral)
· Suggested session (A. general sessions / B. thematic sessions, indicating number and title)

Both the presentation format and session assignment will be evaluated by the Scientific Committee and may be subject to modification.

The deadline for abstract submission is May 1, 2026.

The list of thematic sessions available for selection is provided below:

1. Forensic palynology
2. Neogene marine palynology in the Americas
3. Rise and fall of ancient floras: Extinction and recovery across global biotic crises
4. Paleoevents and extinctions in palynology and paleobotany during the Paleozoic
5. Dinoflagellate cysts: Approaches and applications
6. Evidence of biotic interactions in past plant communities
7. Mesozoic flora and paleoenvironments of the Southern Hemisphere
8. Fungi and their interactions: A billion-year R-evolution
9. Heritage in focus: Challenges in preservation, management and applications of paleobotanical and palynological collections
10. Tracking thermal evolution in sedimentary basins: Organic matter as a geological archive
11. Disentangling drivers of vegetation change
12. Deciphering affinities: The role of the fossil record in phylogenetic reconstructions

1st Circular Trelew 2026-English

1st Circular Trelew 2026-Spanish

2nd Circular Trelew 2026-English

2nd Circular Trelew 2026-Spanish