The first report of an 'evergreen Castanopsis type' wood (Fagaceae) for the Late Miocene–Early Pliocene of Europe (Bulgaria, Blagoevgrad Graben). (13th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mantzouka, Dimitra; Ivanov, Miroslav; Bozukov, Vladimir
• Other Names: Henrot A.‐J. guestEditor.; Bruch A. A. guestEditor.; François L. guestEditor.; Utescher T. guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Geological journal. Volume 56:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 786
• Page End: 803
• Publication Date: 2020-07-13
• Subjects: Blagoevgrad Graben -- Castanopsis -- Fagaceae -- late Miocene–Early Pliocene -- Lithocarpoxylon -- palaeoxylotomy -- Quercoxylon; Geology -- Periodicals; 551
• DOI: 10.1002/gj.3919
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0072-1050

Abstract

Abstract : In the present article, the establishment of the species Castanopsis: C. bulgarica Mantzouka, Ivanov, and Bozukov is proposed after the study of a new fagaceous fossil wood stem discovered in 2016 from a new Late Miocene to Early Pliocene plant fossiliferous locality east of Boboshevo town, south‐west Bulgaria. A detailed palaeoxylotomical study of the fossil wood revealed characteristics of the 'evergreen Quercus type' (e.g. the gradual porosity of the vessels, the existence of two types of rays: uniseriate and multiseriate aggregate, the oval shape of the solitary vessels outline, the occurrence of tracheids) as well as heterocellular compound‐aggregate rays, typical for Castanopsis . Similarities and differences of the anatomical characteristics/features of the studied specimen with the descriptions of the fossil representatives of Fagaceae ( Quercoxylon, Lithocarpoxylon, and Castanopsis ) along with its botanical affinities are discussed. A taxonomic list of the Bulgarian fossil fagaceous record of the same age and their nearest living relatives is provided. Emended xylotomical keys with the addition of Castanopsis have been created. Moreover, the presence of evergreen Castanopsis species with heterocellular rays of two distinct sizes in the fossil record of the 'evergreen oak woods' is supported. Abstract :