Three (middle to) late Miocene plant macroremain assemblages (Pitsidia, Kassanoi and Metochia) from the Messara–Gavdos region, southern Crete

Author:

Zidianakis Giannis,Iliopoulos George,Zelilidis Avraam,Kovar-Eder Johanna

Abstract

Based on macroremains, we describe three fossil plant assemblages from the Miocene of the Messara Basin (southern Crete) and the adjacent Gavdos Island. The palaeoflora of Kassanoi, which is the oldest (Messara Basin, Viannos Fm, Serravallian/early Tortonian), is documented mainly by leaf imprints, including a fern, a conifer (Tetraclinis cf. salicornioides) and 23 angiosperms. The assemblage is dominated by Daphnogene polymorpha, Podocarpium podocarpum and Myrica lignitum. The plant record from Pitsidia (Messara Basin, Ambelouzos Fm, early Tortonian) comprises thousands of specimens. The plant fossils are preserved as imprints often covered by an inorganic encrustation (replica). One alga, 2 ferns, at least 5 conifers and more than 45 woody angiosperms were identified. Dominant taxa are Myrica and Pinus pitsidiensis, documented by numerous vegetative and reproductive organs (Zidianakis et al., 2015, 2016). Leaves of oaks (Q. pseudocastanea, Q. kubinyii) and Daphogene polymorpha as well as twigs of Taxodium dubium are also fairly common. From the palaeoflora of Metochia, which is the youngest (Gavdos Island, Metochia Fm, middle Tortonian), (Mantzouka et al., 2015), we report further taxa, including Quercus mediterranea, Ziziphus paradisiaca and a palm (Sabalites sp.). The vegetation is assessed both empirically (phytosociologically) and by Integrated Plant Record (IPR) Vegetation Analysis. The reconstructed vegetation models are presented in detail and discussed in the context of the geological and palaeontological settings of the area. The climate is assessed based on the Coexistence Approach (CA) and the Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program (CLAMP). The palaeoclimatic datasets reveal a warm temperate to subtropical climate, probably with a weak seasonal drought.

Publisher

W. Szafer Institute of Botany Polish Academy of Sciences

Reference212 articles.

1. Agustí, J., Cabrera, L., Garcés, M., Llenas, M., 1999. Mammal turnover and global climate change in the late Miocene terrestrial record of the Vallès-Penedès Basin (NE Spain). In: Agustí, J., Rook, L., Andrews, P. (eds), Hominoid Evolution and Climatic Change in Europe. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 397–412.

2. Anastasakis, G.C., Dermitzakis, M.D., Triantaphyllou, M.V., 1995. Stratigraphic framework of the Gavdos island Neogene sediments. Newsletters on Stratigraphy 32(1), 1–15.

3. Antonarakou, A., 2001. Biostratigraphy and paleoenvironmental implications on Miocene sediments of Eastern Mediterranean (Gavdos Island). PhD Thesis, University of Athens, Greece.

4. Ash, A.W., Ellis, B., Hickey, L.J., Johnson, K.R., Wilf, P., 1999. Manual of leaf architecture: morphological description and categorization of dicotyledons and net-veined monocotyledonous angiosperms. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

5. Belz, G., Mosbrugger, V., 1994. Systematisch-paläoökologische und paläoklimatische Analyse von Blattfloren im Mio/Pliozän der niederrheinishen Bucht (NWDeutschland). Palaeontographica B 233, 19–156.

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3