NEW EUROPEAN RECORDS AND FIRST EVIDENCE OF EPIDERMAL STRUCTURES OF <em>SLOANEA</em> L. FROM THE ITALIAN OLIGOCENE – REVISED TYPE AND ORIGINAL MATERIAL OF PRINCIPI 1916

Abstract

<p class="abstract-testo">Leaves of <em>Sloanea</em> <em>elliptica</em> (Andreánszky) Z. Kvaèek &amp; Hably and <em>S. peolai</em> (Principi) Hably, Tamás &amp; Cioppi  with preserved organic structures were found during the study of Principi’s collection from the Oligocene flora of Santa Giustina. Fossil leaves of <em>Sloanea</em> <em>elliptica</em> have so far been recorded exclusively from the Palaeogene Basin of the Inner Carpathian Region, i.e. from the Lower Oligocene strata of Hungary and Slovenia, whereas <em>S. peolai</em> has been described from a single locality, Chiavon in Italy. Organic structure of <em>S. peolai</em> hitherto has not been recorded. The mass occurrence of <em>Sloanea</em> <em>elliptica</em> in the fossil assemblage of Santa Giustina indicates that its area was much more extensive than it was presumed. It was a characteristic element mainly of Oligocene floras, and even predominated them. This is the first record of the co-occurrence of two <em>Sloanea</em> species described on the basis of leaf remains. During the study 6 types and more than 30 illustrated specimens published in Principi's monograph were revised and identified as S. <em>elliptica</em>.   </p><p class="abstract-testo"> </p>