Early Miocene flora of central Kazakhstan (Turgai Plateau) and its paleoenvironmental implications.

ABSTRACT: The investigation of the fossil floras from the Turgai plateau (central Kazakhstan) contributes to a better understanding of the origin of the temperate Turgai type flora which spread to Kazakhstan and adjacent areas during the Oligocene-Miocene transition. In this paper, we present the results of a carpological and palynological study of the Kumyrtas flora collected from a flora-bearing horizon of the regional coal-bearing Zhilanchik suite, dated to the Aquitanian period. Pollen analysis identified 33 taxa, with are dominated by angiosperms (about 73%) and reflect zonal vegetation. The high percentages of Betula (27%) and Pterocarya (7.5%) that were found in this flora allows comparisons with other Aquitanian floras of Kazakhstan. Based on descriptions of fossil fruits and s

SUBMITTER: Svetlana P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6702428 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature