Catalogue of revised and new plant macrofossils from the Aquitanian-Burdigalian of Soma (W Turkey) – Biogeographic and palaeoclimatic implications

The position of Turkey between Europe and Asia makes this region interesting for palaeobotanical investigations. We investigated plant macrofossils from early Miocene deposits W (Soma, Manisa) compiled a catalogue revised new taxa. documented 100 fossil-taxa, which several are (Mahonia aff. pseudosimplex, Ziziphus paradisiaca, Comptonia longirostris, Carya denticulata, Viscum, Fatsia, Pungiphyllum cruciatum). Some previous records rejected (e.g. Apocynophyllum, Cassia, Castanea, Ficus, Illicium, Liriodendron, Vaccinium). Using modern ecology taphonomy, we reconstructed palaeoenvironments. found evidence belt drier, more open habitats with cycads, Dracaena, Mahonia, Smilax miohavanensis, others. Other vegetation units comprise swamp riparian forest few dominants (expressed in high abundance leaf specimens). On well-drained soils, lowland large-leaved Lauraceae vel Fagaceae rare elements (Fatsia) was present, while humid temperate broadleaf-deciduous conifer flourished higher up. To infer palaeoclimate used the Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program (CLAMP) compared results other localities Turkey. Early floras had warm climates (mean annual temperature, MAT, coldest month CMMT) weak precipitation seasonality. MAT CMMT were cooler during middle Miocene. Several fossil-taxa at Soma have biogeographic links older/coeval C and/or Mediterranean (cycads, Torreya, Mahonia Ilex miodipyrena, Pungiphyllum). Few taxa clear to Asian (Comptonia longirostris). True E endemics even rarer spp., Quercus sosnowskyi).