Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 83. (Budapest 1991)

Barbacka, M.: New data about Liassic fossil plants in the Mecsek Mountains (South Hungary)

ANNALES HISTORICO-NATURALES MUSEI NATIONALIS HUNGARICI Tomus 83. Budapest, 1991 p. 17-23. New data about Liassic fossil plants in the Mecsek Mountains (South Hungary) by M. BARBACKA, Budapest BARBACKA. M.: New data about Liassic fossil plants in the Mecsek Mountains (South Hungary). - Annls hist -naL Mus. natn hung. 1991, 83: Abstract - The number of Liassic fossil plants recorded from the Mecsek Mountains (S. Hungary) has increased by three species: Sagenopteris cf. hallei HARRIS 1932, Anomozamites minor (BRONGN.) NATHORST 1878, and Cheirolepis münsteri (SCHENK) SCHIMPER 1869. The specimens were examined by morphological and cuticular analysis. With 1 figure and 2 photoplates. Coal production in the Mecsek Mts. has been going on since the 19th century. The age of the coal measures was determined with the help of palynological (BONA 1983) and paleontological (FÖLDI 1967) data and was divided into three zones: the lowest zone belongs to the Upper Triassic age while the other two into the Hetangian and Sinemurian stages (NAGY 1969). Coal production is performed in the Liassic beds through partly subsurface coal mining, partly opencast mining. It ensures ample possibility to examine fossil plant remains. In the past years the number of mines has increased which improved collecting conditions of fossil plants both in the fields and in the dumps. The quantity and proper preservation of the material made the detection of new fossil plants possible. The Liassic flora in the Mecsek has been known for more than 100 years. BEUDANT was the first who described some fossil plant species in 1882 (NAGY 1961). Subsequently several other lists of species were compiled. The last paper (NAGY 1961) described 33 species from this area. However this was the first description which also contained taxonomic characterization. Besides discussing external morphological features, I also made anatomical examinations. Three species are introduced in the study which have not been detected before in the Hungarian Liassic flora. The fossil plant fragments are in siltstone representing leaves impressions and coalified cuticles. The classical maceration method was applied to dissect the cuticles (Schultz-solution and KOH 10 %) and were in turn preserved in glycerol jelly.