Floristic Elements Research Articles

Protected Natural Values of Geoheritage Interest in the Călimani National Park, Eastern Carpathians, Romania

The Călimani National Park (CNP), legally founded in 2000 in order to ensure the highest level of protection for the unique natural and scientific values it hosts, is the largest protected volcanic area in Romania. It covers a significant part of the Călimani Mountains representing the largest, highest, and most voluminous segment of the Neogene Călimani-Gurghiu-Harghita volcanic range. The natural values under protection in the CNP include the unique high-mountain volcanic landscape hosting glacial and periglacial features, lakes and marshes, spectacular rock formations, and unique floral elements. Due to their outstanding scientific value, the botanical Science Reserve of Juniperus with Pinus cembra, the geographical Iezer Lake Science Reserve, and the geological “12 Apostles” Science Reserve are subject to the highest legal level of protection. CPN also hosts damaged natural values of geoheritage importance. This is the place where the phenomenon of volcanic karst was described for the first time, and the term “vulcanokarst” coined. Open-pit sulfur mining destroyed its original features and only poor traces of them can be found today. The high-mountain volcanic landscape was also catastrophically damaged by mining. However, remediation and re-cultivation activities in the open-pit area significantly attenuated the damage. Little attention is paid by the Park’s management to the valuation of the geological and volcanological features deserving higher levels of protection. Most of them are not even known to the wider public, with the exception of geologists. Touristic valuation of the area was recently enhanced by the remediation of the old “Maria Theresia road” linking Transylvania and Bukovina across the mountains. There is still a lot to do in order to fully take advantage of the natural values of geoheritage relevance hosted by the CNP, in teaching, research and touristic/leisure activities. Actions to be undertaken to this end suggested here include organization of thematic workshops, conferences, exhibitions, and field practice for students, professionals and the general public focused on geoheritage values, placing geoeducational boards along touristic trails, devising field guides and promotional material, and connecting the Călimani Mts. to broader touristic networks such as the proposed “Pannonian volcano route.”

Marine algal flora of the Late Viséan (Early Carboniferous) of the Moscow Basin

New data on the taxonomic composition of the algal flora of the Late Visean of the Moscow Basin are discussed based on newly collected material. The algal assemblage comprises 24 taxa, 14 taxa identified to species, nine identified to genus, and one taxon not positively identified. Representatives of the genera Anthracoporella, Anthracoporellopsis, Asphaltina, Asphaltinella, Asteroaoujgalia, and Zidella are recorded for the first time from the Upper Visean of the Moscow Basin. The large geographic ranges of these benthic calcareous algae suggest a relatively free exchange of the floral elements of the Late Visean Moscow Basin with the remote basins of North America and the Paleotethys in the Aleksinian and Mikhailovian time. The new data fill an important gap in the current state of knowledge of Late Visean marine algae.

A farewell to Tortella bambergeri (Pottiaceae) as understood over the last decades

Molecular sequence data provide convincing evidence that Tortella bambergeri (Schimp.) Broth., as understood over the last three decades, consists of two species. On the other hand, a careful investigation of the holotype of Trichostomum bambergeri Schimp. revealed its synonymy with Tortella tortuosa (Hedw.) Limpr. (in its current broad sense), which was confirmed by the molecular sequences of two plants from the Alps that were morphologically similar to the T. bambergeri type and that proved to be unrelated to the European plants currently so named. For T. bambergeri auct., two validly described names were located, T. fasciculata (Culm.) Culm., a suboceanic-submediterranean floristic element, and T. pseudofragilis (Thér.) Köckinger & Hedenäs, comb. nov., a boreo-montane element. Lectotypes for these two names are designated. Beside molecular differences, the two species can be distinguished mainly by having differently shaped cells on the upper leaf margin and by differences in the orientation of the dry leaves. Distribution and ecology of these two taxa are discussed. A key to Tortella (Müll.Hal.) Limpr. species with quadrate superficial cells on the dorsal, upper costa is provided. Hybrid sporophytes in T. pseudofragilis, with T. tortuosa (Hedw.) Limpr. as the male parent, are discussed in the light of other observations, including an apparent hybrid T. pseudofragilis × inclinata from Sweden, suggesting that hybridisation may be important in the evolution within Tortella.

Contribution to the Floral Diversity of Schirmarcher Oasis and Larsemann Hills, Antarctica

In continental Antarctica, algae, fungi, lichen and mosses are the major floristic elements. To understand their distribution and diversity pattern in ice free areas of Schirmacher Oasis and Larsemann Hills investigations were conducted during various Indian Antarctic Expeditions. Due to the extreme environmental conditions in Antarctica, lichens and bryophytes undergo sever morphological changes and occur in mostly in sterile condition that makes them difficult group to identify. A total of 69 species of lichens were encountered in the Schirmacher Oasis and 25 species in the region of Larsemann Hills. Most lichens known from these two areas are microlichens. The ecophysiological studies on lichens indicated Rhizoplaca melanophthalma as the most desiccation tolerant species in Schirmacher Oasis. The studies on moss flora contributed only 12 species under eight genera and five families from Schirmacher Oasis. The sub-fossil moss Pohlia nutans of Holocene period was recorded from lake sediment cores from Schirmacher Oasis. There are several studies on algal flora of Schirmacher Oasis and in one of the studies a total of 109 species of cyanobacteria belonging to 30 genera and 9 families were recorded from Schirmacher Oasis. Similarly, a total of 19 species of fungi belonging to 13 genera and seven families were recorded from Schirmacher Oasis soils and 5 species of yeasts were recorded from Larsemann Hills. Furthermore, Thelebolus microsporus was characterized for adaptation strategies and biotechnological potentials.

The colonization history of the Mediterranean dwarf palm (Chamaerops humilis L., Palmae)

Chamaerops humilis L. (Mediterranean dwarf palm) is an important floristic element of the western Mediterranean region because it is the only palm species naturally distributed in both Europe and Africa. The combination of a time-calibrated phylogeny, a haplotype network and genetic diversity analyses based on plastid sequences, together with previous nuclear DNA fingerprint results, helped reconstruct the colonization history of the dwarf palm. Based on a sample of 218 individuals taken from 29 geographical areas that cover the current distribution of Chamaerops, we detected four plastid DNA (petA-psbJ) haplotypes distributed in two haplotype groups (lineage 1: haplotypes A/B; lineage 2: haplotypes C/D). Haplotypes A, B, and C showed a widespread geographical distribution in both Africa and Europe, whereas haplotype D was restricted to two African localities. Paleobotanical data, species distribution modeling and divergence time estimates suggest that Chamaerops diverged from Trachycarpus in the Miocene (27.05–6.05 Ma), followed by a split of the two C. humilis lineages that remained isolated during the Miocene-Pliocene. Divergence estimates also support a derived split into two haplotypes (A/B) in the Pleistocene, when the Mediterranean Sea barrier was in existence. This, together with geographical distribution of haplotypes A and B, strongly suggests that the disjunct distribution of C. humilis haplotypes in Europe and Africa is the result of long-distance dispersal (LDD) events rather than vicariance. In agreement with recurrent gene flow (events of LDD colonization), AMOVA revealed that most of the genetic variance was found among populations (61.52%). Irrespective of predominant plant translocations by humans or seed dispersal by natural means, our results support that current populations are the result of relatively recent contacts between Africa and Europe in the Quaternary.

Estructura y composición florística de la selva mediana subperennifolia en Bethania, Campeche, México

We characterized the vegetation structure and the floristic composition of the semi evergreen tropical forest in the locality of Bethania, Campeche, Mexico. We marked ten 10 m x 10 m (1 000 m2) plots, where all individuals with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of ≥ 2 cm were measured. The structural analysis of the vegetation is based on the species importance values (IV). We found 490 woody individuals belonging to 34 species, grouped into 33 genera and 23 families. The Fabaceae was the plant family with more species (7). Terminalia buceras was the species with the highest relative dominance, followed by Metopium brownei , Coccoloba barbadensis and Zygia sp . These four species accounted for almost half (43.5%) of the relative importance value. Our results indicate that the medium semievergreen forest is characterized by floristic elements subtect to flooding. The number of woody individuals is concentrated in three families ( Fabaceae, Ochnaceae and Polygonaceae ). Finally, Bravaisia berlandieriana form a competitive hierarchy in the shrub layer that colonizes clearings of semi evergreen tropical forest of the locality of Bethania.

Fitogeografska analiza travnjaka Ibarskog keja u Kraljevu

The paper presents the results of a chronological analysis of 85 different plant species that are constant on the grasslands of the Ibar Quay in Kraljevo. A detailed chronological analysis of the total flora of all studied grasslands has shown the presence of 17 floral elements, divided into 8 areal types and 10 areal groups. The analysis points to the dominance of plants belonging to the Eurasian floral element (47.05%), with four expansive weed species belonging to this group of floral elements: Urtica dioica L., Cichorium intybus L., Agropyrum repens L., Rubus caesius L., with two ruderal weed species Arctium lappa L. and Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., which are undesirable in the studied lawns. The second most represented is the group of circumpolar and cosmopolitan floral elements (15.3%) and the third centraleuropean floral elements (11.7%). The presence of cosmopolitan and alien species is observed in the flora of the analyzed grasslands, which best demonstrates the anthropogenic impact and level of ruderalization. The species belonging to different floral elements and areal groups/types are present in a much smaller number. The structure of lawns of the investigated area, compared to the quay research and urban grasslands of Belgrade shows similarity and points to the necessity for more intensive maintenance and cultivation of the lawns in the investigated area.

FLORA MELÍFERA Y SU OFERTA DE RECURSOS EN CINCO VEREDAS DEL MUNICIPIO DE PIENDAMÓ, CAUCA

The honey plants present in the municipality of Piendamo was determined as the basic criterion for honey production planning. Monthly visits were made to 12 apiaries during 2014. The plants were selected based on producers’ knowledge, bibliography and beeworking observation. Plots of 100 square meters were plotted, according to the Gentry method, in different coverings with radial transect of 1 km around the apiary, was carried out the herborization of the melliferous species and monitoring of floristic elements of importance for the hive (coverage, resource offered, Frequency of visits and degrees brix). A total of 150 plants belonging to 30 species, 24 genera and 13 families were collected, the most representative being Asteraceae (20%) and Fabaceae (20%). The floristic elements were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Pearson’s coefficient, stating that the species are mainly present in the coverings of Rastrojo (50%) and wood (26%). The supply is considered nectar-pollinate (70%), with ranges of medium sweetness between 30 and 43 degrees brix (36%) and an average visit frequency (46%), evidencing the honey potential of the region and the importance of the resources offered for the honey harvest.

Early Cretaceous flora of India- A review

Earth’s terrestrial ecosystem during the early Cretaceous was marked by the dominance of naked seeded plants and appearance of flowering plants. Tectonic changes and evolutionary processes affected southern floras of the globe during this time. Review of Indian early Cretaceous flora distributed in peri and intra–cratonic basins signify homogenity of composition with regional variations. The flora composed of pteridophytes, pteridospermaleans, pentoxylaleans, bennettitaleans, ginkgoaleans, coniferaleans, taxaleans and taxa of uncertain affinity along with sporadic occurrence of flowering plants represent a unique Indian Early Cretaceous flora. Similitude of basinal floras with marginal differences can be attributed to taphonomic limitations and taxonomic angularity. A perusal of available data brings out an opportunity for novelty in floral composition and variable associations dictated by prevailed environmental conditions. The eastern, western and central regions of India hold distinct litho units encompassing plant mega fossils represented by leaf, wood / axis, seed, fructification and associated marker forms. Remarkable tenacity of certain plant groups, which even found in modern flora and vulnerability of many taxa constitute a blend of extinct and extant. The appearance and extinction of certain taxa can be explained as a cumulative affect of evolutionary and climatic factors. Perpetuation of gondwanic floral elements during the early Cretaceous along with newly evolved floral components testifies evolutionary innovations and changing ecological constraints.

Late Pleistocene to Holocene evolution of the Emba Delta, Kazakhstan, and coastline of the north-eastern Caspian Sea: Sediment, ostracods, pollen and dinoflagellate cyst records

Six cores, each approximately 10m long, of late Pleistocene to Holocene age were studied from the Emba Delta region in the north-eastern Caspian Sea. Radiocarbon dates provide ages within the range of 47,820 to 12,020calBP for the middle sections, and for post-1950 close to surface. The ages fall within Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3, MIS 2 and MIS 1 (with MIS 4 also inferred). Four lithological units are present, each separated by an erosional contact. Unit 4 is equated with MIS 4 and consists of over-consolidated, east-west trending aeolian sands deposited during the late Pleistocene Atelian lowstand. Unit 3 is equated with MIS 3 and is a low-energy, shallow open water or lagoonal deposit based on ostracod faunas. Pollen from mesophilic trees is common, confirming warm climatic conditions. Floristic elements such as Engelhardia and Carya were shared with East Asia. Frequent Taxodiaceae pollen occurs, derived from Glyptostrobus pensilis, a seasonal freshwater swamp tree, now found naturally only in isolated relict stands in East Asia. This suggests that the north-eastern Caspian region was a ‘refugium’ supporting Glyptostrobus swamp vegetation during MIS 3. There is no evidence to indicate that these are reworked occurrences. Unit 2 consists of early Khvalynian transgressive barrier sands and Unit 1 of shoreface sands and muds of Holocene age. The late Khvalynian highstand and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) record are eroded by the Mangyshlak unconformity after ca. 12,500calBP. The Holocene interval contains frequent foraminifera and dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts) of restricted ‘marine’ affinity (e.g. Lingulodinium machaerophorum). The dinocysts Pterocysta cruciformis and Impagidinium inaequalis are found commonly in the Caspian Sea for the first time. Results are compared with palynological and ostracod assemblages in surface samples from the eastern Caspian Sea coastal region.

Angiosperm species of “Cerrado” sensu stricto in Terra Ronca State Park, Brazil: floristics, phytogeography and conservation

We conducted a floristic survey of “Cerrado” sensu stricto on Quartzipsamment soils in the northeastern state of Goias, Brazil, in Terra Ronca State Park (PETeR). In addition, we analysed phytogeographical aspects to investigate the floristic relationships between “Cerrado” and the Amazon, Atlantic Forest and “Caatinga” biomes. Furthermore, we assessed the shrub–tree flora similarity with other sites having the same type of physiognomy and soil class. We collected species along three 5 km × 60 m (90 ha) transects and recorded 278 species. Erythroxylum loefgrenii Diogo, Eugenia blanchetiana O.Berg and Martianthus stachydifolius (Epling) Harley & J.F.B.Pastore were listed as new records for the “Cerrado” (Brazilian savanna), and thirteen species were newly recorded for the state of Goias. Approximately, 28% of the species are endemic to the “Cerrado”, and 72% are shared with other Brazilian biomes. The shrub–tree layer of the “Cerrado” shares more species with the “Caatinga”, which shows the transitional aspects and affinities of the local flora with this biome. The high similarity between the woody flora of PETeR and “Cerrado” sensu stricto on Quartzipsamment soil sites in Bahia and northern Minas Gerais state associated with the occurrence of floristic elements that considered typical of the north–northeast portion of the “Cerrado” phytogeographical province reinforces the inclusion of the northeast region of Goias in this floristic province. The protected area in the Vao do Parana region represents only 3.3% of the total area of the region and 6% of the remaining natural vegetation in the area. Considering that the studied region holds an important flora and at the same time presents strong anthropogenic pressure from the occupation of agribusiness, it would be extremely important to prioritize conservation strategies to maintain the remaining natural vegetation in the northeastern portion of the “Cerrado”.

First record of fossil basidiomycete clamp connections in cordaitalean stems from the Asselian–Sakmarian (lower Permian) of Shanxi Province, North China

Fungi today occur in great diversity on virtually every plant part, living and dead. Cordaitalean gymnosperms were important components of floral element in the late Palaeozoic palaeotropical floras. However, fungi associated with the stems of these plants are rarely documented. Basidiomycetes are one of the major groups of extant fungi, and may have played an important role in ancient continental ecosystems, but are rarely discovered in the upper Palaeozoic. A stem of the fossil cordaite Shanxioxylon sp. containing abundant ramifying and septate hyphae with clamp connections is preserved in the upper Taiyuan Formation (Cisuralian, lower Permian) in Shanxi Province, North China. The fungal remains described here are the first evidence of fungi associated with Permian cordaitalean stems from Cathaysia. Their association with Cathaysian cordaites expands knowledge of the ecology and plant substrates of basidiomycetous fungi in the Permian.

A new species of Acanthothecis (Ostropales), highlights subtropical floristic elements of the southern Appalachian lichen biota in eastern North America

Abstract Acanthothecis fontana is described as new to science based on material collected in the southern Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. It is most similar to A. paucispora, but differs in its smaller ascospores and apparent allopatric distribution. In addition to the description of the new species, a key is provided to the genus Acanthothecis, including the species of Fissurina with warted paraphyses, together with a tabular summary of information pertaining to ascospores and chemistry.

Biogeographical patterns in vertebrate assemblages of the Czech Republic: regional division in the context of species' distributions in Europe

This study attempts to explore biogeographical patterns in vertebrate assemblages of the Czech Republic and to delineate faunal biogeographical regions of the country. We focused on native terrestrial species and first explored main gradients in the composition of their assemblages. The first gradient revealed by Principal Coordinate Analysis was best correlated with climatic variables, whereas the second gradient can be ascribed rather to longitude and to the associated habitat change. Using the spatially constrained clustering, the Czech Republic was divided into five cohesive regions and species above-average associated with these regions showed distinct distributions within the European continent. Delineated regions also significantly differed at least in three considered environmental variables. We provided clear evidence that species distribution data gathered by national mapping support main biogeographical patterns suggested by previously published expert-based classifications of the country. We also demonstrated that the fauna of the Czech Republic shows a biogeographical pattern very similar to that showed by natural habitats defined in terms of plant communities. This indicates that both fauna and flora of the Czech Republic yield to the same environmental forces and biogeographical processes such as spreading of faunistic and floristic elements from the adjacent Carpathian Mountains and the Pannonian Basin.

Mapping and assessment of impacts of cold and frost on secondary forest in the marginally tropical landscape of Hong Kong

Impacts of extreme climate events on terrestrial ecosystems are more severe than those due to normal climate variability, and IPCC expects extreme weather events to become more frequent, triggering a gradual or unexpected change in forest ecosystems. Secondary forest in Hong Kong is recovering through natural succession since 1945, after complete destruction during the Second World War (WW2). Over 70 of years of natural vegetation succession, forests have suffered three major extreme cold events, in 1974, 1991 and 2016. An intense cold event across Hong Kong and southern China from 23 to 25th January 2016 with temperatures of −6°C and wind chill of −13°C recorded at 950m on Hong Kong’s highest mountain, was preceded by unseasonably warm weather in early January. The intensity of cold had not been experienced in over 100 years of climate records. This study was conducted to map and assess the impacts of the frost event on Hong Kong’s vegetation at landscape level using remotely sensed vegetation indices and GIS, and at species level from field observations. Results indicate that the vegetation below 400m was largely unaffected, but then vegetation damage gradually increased along the elevation gradient from 400m to the maximum elevation of 957m. Furthermore, the cooler north and east-facing aspects appeared less affected by the event, showing less than half of the reduction in the remotely sensed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) compared to normal years, than warmer south and west facing slopes. This presumably indicates that more cold-tolerant woody seedlings are more able to compete and germinate on northerly aspects, as well as the more closed forest canopy on northerly aspects being resistant to wind chill. Plants on the warmer south and west facing slopes covered with earlier successional stages (grasses, shrubs, and very young forest pioneers) were more damaged. Field observations also confirmed the high degree of frost damage observed above 600m, where a higher return frequency of frost explains the absence of tropical taxa and the presence of more temperate floristic elements. A higher frequency of frosts would favor deciduous species, which are more resilient to frost and, in the long-run, would cause the disappearance of evergreen forests above 600m in Hong Kong. The predicted greater frequency of frost damage due to climatic warming could bring about such changes in coming decades. Given the predicted greater incidence of climate extremes to forests in climatic transition zones under climate change predictions, monitoring using satellite-derived vegetation indices is a low cost and effective means of identifying longer-term changes as opposed to natural inter-annual variability in forest growth.

Early Spring Flora of the Sub-Pannonic Steppic Grassland (NATURA 2000 Site) in Bilje, Northeast Croatia

Abstract The diversity of early spring vascular flora was studied in the Sub-Pannonic steppic grassland in the village of Bilje, north eastern Croatia. In all, 109 plant taxa within 35 families were found. The highest number of taxa belongs to the families Poaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Caryophyllaceae, Lamiaceae and Rosaceae. Specific habitat conditions, characterized by moderately wet and moderately acidic soil with intermediate fertility and the effects of the continental climate favour the development of different plant life forms. Out of the total recorded plant taxa, hemicryptophytes make up 59.6%, followed by therophytes (22.0%) and geophytes (13.8%). Chorological analysis shows that the most numerous are plants of Eurasian (33.9%), Pontic-Central-Asian (21.1%) and Central European (21.1%) floral elements. According to their status in the Red List, three critically endangered (CR), one vulnerable (VU) and three nearly threatened (NT) plant species were found. Altogether, the steppe-like grassland in Bilje is a unique habitat rich in valuable plants of the Croatian flora, including the critically endangered Doronicum hungaricum, therefore it is of great importance to preserve it. Important management tools include mowing and controlling the spreading of cultivated and invasive plant species.

Diversity and geographical distribution of Pteridophytes in Wenzhou

Based on the review of literature and samples, and collection and identification of samples, this paper analyzed 277 species (belonging to 93 genera, 44 families) of the Pteridophyte flora in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province. There are rich species of Pteridophyte flora in Wenzhou. The dominant families are Dryopteridaceae (5 genera and 50 species), Thelypteridaceae (10 genera and 36 species), Athyriaceae (9 genera and 31 species), Polypodiaceae (10 genera and 30 species) and Aspleniaceae (1 genera and 15 species). The dominant genera are DryoPteris(26 species), Asplenium(15 species), Pteris(14 species), Selaginella (13 species) and Arachniodes (11 species). The flora origin traces back to the ancient time, including quite a few ancient families, genera and relic species. The flora elements are complicated and contain various geographical features, the tropical and subtropical features being comparatively distinctive.

Seedling growth of a native (Ampelodesmos mauritanicus) and an exotic (Pennisetum setaceum) grass

Scarce information is available on the biological reasons why a small subset of introduced species can effectively establish within novel ecosystems. A comparison of early growth traits can help to explain the better performance of alien invasive species versus native co-occurring species. In one year-long experiment, we compared the early life stages of Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Poir.) Dur. & Schinz (Amp), a native perennial Mediterranean grass, and Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov (Penn), an emerging invader grass in sub-arid and Mediterranean-climate areas. The Penn seedlings grew significantly faster and were approximately 2.5 times taller than the Amp seedlings, reaching a final average height of 90 cm. The shoot and root dry masses of the Penn seedlings were, respectively, more than 14 times and 4 times higher than those of the Amp seedlings. As a consequence, the shoot:root ratio was significantly higher in Penn, which resulted in a greater allocation of resources to the photosynthetic organs. Penn showed a more rapid life cycle compared with Amp. Penn produced seeds 9 months after sowing while no spikelet was produced by Amp until the end of the experiment. As a consequence, Penn may gain a reproductive advantage due to rapid seed dissemination. Ultimately, a suite of peculiar early growth traits makes Penn an aggressive competitor against Amp, which is an important floristic element of native Mediterranean grasslands. Penn seems better suited than Amp in colonizing frequently disturbed sites with fluctuating resource availability or irregular rainfall distribution and Penn is gradually replacing Amp.

A typical Euramerican floral element from the Shanxi Formation (Cisuralian, lower Permian) in the Wuda Coal Field, Inner Mongolia, North China

Autunia conferta (Sternberg) Kerp is one of the best known, earliest and most widespread callipterids in Euramerica during the Cisuralian. Unambiguous A. conferta foliage is for the first time recorded from Cathaysia in the Shanxi Formation of Wuda, Inner Mongolia, North China. Together with the find of Autunia naumannii (Gutbier) Kerp in the lowermost Permian strata of the same region, it proves that the radiation and spatio-temporal distribution of peltasperms was apparently not hampered by the floral provincialism, and it also indicates a mutual migration of floral elements between Cathaysia and Euramerica. Their long stratigraphic range, from the Cisuralian to the Lopingian, demonstrates that callipterids played an important role in the palaeotropical landscape and had a long history in North China during the Permian. The nearly absence of callipterids in typical Cisuralian wetland floras indicates their preference for well-drained settings and uplands. It is inferred that A. conferta lived contemporaneously with the wetland floral elements in Cathaysia during the Cisuralian, but commonly outside the window of preservation.

New costapalmate palm leaves from the Oligocene Ningming Formation of Guangxi, China, and their biogeographic and palaeoclimatic implications

New palm leaves from the Oligocene Ningming Formation are placed into the morphogenus Sabalites because of their costapalmate leaf shape. Four taxa are described on the basis of leaf compressions with cuticular structure. S. guanxiensis sp. nov. is characterised by hypostomatic leaf blades with a stout costa and a symmetrical base. Sabalites cf. asymmetricus has amphistomatic leaf blades with a long, delicate costa and an asymmetrical base. Sabalites sp. 1 has amphistomatic leaf blades with a long, massive costa and wide segments. Sabalites sp. 2 is characterized by hypostomatic leaf blades with a prominent costa and an asymmetrical base. The four new palm taxa expand our understanding of the floristic elements and features of the Oligocene Ningming flora. Together with the other three palm taxa that were previously reported from the Ningming Formation, our material indicates that the Oligocene Ningming flora had a rich diversity of costapalmate palms. The relatively high species diversity of palms and other plants corroborate that the Oligocene Ningming flora represents a warm and humid climate.