Genus Quercus in the Late Miocene flora of Baldevo Formation (Southwest Bulgaria): taxonomical composition and palaeoecology

Abstract

Th e article presents the results of a study of the representatives of genus Quercus in the local paleofl ora of the Gotse Delchev Basin. Twelve species of this genus were identifi ed in the studied material. Th ree of them (Q. licudensis, Q. abchasica and Q. lonchitis) are new for the Bulgarian paleofl ora. Th e taxonomical, palaeoecological, phytogeographical and biostratigraphic analysis give rise to certain conclusions about the paleoecological conditions in the region and the age of the studied paleofl ora. Data on the epidermis structure of the species Q. drymeja and Q. sosnowskyi were obtained for the fi rst time from Bulgarian fossil samples.