Kaszab Zoltán (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 71. (Budapest 1979)

Hably, L.: Some data to the Oligocene flora of the Kiscellian Tard Clay, Hungary

34 L. HABLY (near Eger), Cupanites neptuni (ANDREÁNSZKY 1956) from the Middle Oligocène of Noszvaj, Cunonia oligocenica (ANDREÁNSZKY 1956), from the Wind brickyard from Eger also by the name of Cunonia oligoceniea (ANDREÁNSZKY 1966). In Europe it has been found from Eocene to Middle Miocene. In Hungary it is limited mostly to Lower-Middle Oligocène as revealed by available data. In all the drillings examined Platanus neptuni has been found in considerable quantity. Since it is present from the layer of Tard Clay down to the base of the drillings it is not suitable for a more defined levelling between drillings as are Doliostrobus or Libocedrites. Floristical evaluation From floristical point of view the materials of all drillings are the same, which is natural as we have to deal with florae dating from the same age, and situated near each other. In the composition of the flora significant role is played by Dryophyllum furcinerve, which expressively increases the number of the mesophilous elements. This species has been found in Tard Clay at many places in Hungary. It is found in the papers of ANDREÁNSZKY under different names (RÜFFLE, MÜLLER-STOLL & LITKE 1967). Platanus neptuni has already been mentioned. This species shows relationship with the one in the Czech Central Mountains. There is a significant number of Laurophyllum indicating the presence of paleotropical elements. With the testing of Tertiary florae the proportion of paleotropical and arctotertiary elements are decisive. The drillings contain paleotropical florae. Among the Dicotyledonae Zizyphus zizyphodies occurs in a significant quantity as well as Comptonia acutiloba and some yet unidentified Myrlca species. The ferns are represented by Antrophytes egedensis, found in Kiseged (ANDREÁNSZKY 1954) and at Budaújlak also in Tard Clay. The other fernfragment belongs to the genus Pteris; no closer definition was possible. Pteris has been found also at other places in Tard Clay: Budaújlak (VARGA 1956) and Kiseged (ANDREÁNSZKY 1949). Of Gymnospermophytae in addition to the already mentioned Doliostrobus and Libocedrites the following are represented : Taxodium dubium, Sequoia langsdorfii as well as several pines with 2, 3 and 5 needles. The second was described by NOVAK (1950) from Kiseged as Pinns tuzsoni. The other Pinus with 5 needles is Pinuspalaeostrobus. Flower remains found in two drillings were described by ANDREÁNSZKY (1958) also from Tard Clay under the name of Abelia sp. The occurrence of the species in the different drillings is given in the Table I. Ecological evaluation and climatological conclusion Concerning the ecological requirements of the flora certain inferences can be made on the basis of the morphological characteristics of the leaf and by applying the principle of actualism. Morphological characteristics suggest that the rainfall was well below the tropical average. This is indicated by the medium or small size of the leaves, the narrow lamina, the well-indented margin and in certain cases leathery. The surviving species of Zizyphus genus are today mostly subtropical shiubs and it represented the shrub-layer of the Oligocène flora. As for its water consumpticn the flora cannot be regarded uniform. Some show palustral characteristics, these probably lived near the shore, while others may have been carried into the sea by rivers from higher levels. The Platanus neptuni which played an important part in the flora formation was a definitely mesophilous element with moderate water consumption and not living on the seaside. Generally it was characteristic in the flora of lower mountains. Dryophyllum furcinerve is a mesophilous element, too and as it has a crucial importance in the flora confirming its mesophilous character. It is possible that Sequoia langsdorfii, Platanus neptuni and Dryophyllum