First Evidence for Middle Miocene Petrified Wood Remains from the Bulgarian Black Sea Shore

Abstract

Ten specimens of Middle Miocene petrified wood remains collected from the Bulgarian shore of Black Sea, close to Byala locality, were analysed through a microscopic study. The samples originate from the Galata Formation and are of Chokrakian age. Eight of these are taxonomically identified as Populoxylon sp. (cf. Populus tremula L.). This find represents the first record of the genus Populoxylon in the Bulgarian Miocene flora. Based on the great similarity of the xylotomical features of studied specimens to those of the recent species, a close connection with recent Populus tremula is observed. Genus Populus is widespread in the fossil record of Bulgarian Cenozoic flora as leaf imprints.