А new fossil species of Ulmus (Ulmaceae) in Early Pleistocene deposits of Southern Armenia
Abstract
Ulmus ivangabrieljanii Sargsyan sp. nov. is described and illustrated as a new fossil species from Early Pleistocene deposits of the Sisian Diatomaceous Formation in Syunik Province, S outhern Armenia. The species is distinguished by a combination of characters: lamina broad elliptical to elliptic, 20.8–38 mm long and 17.2–33 .0 mm wide, with a length – to – width ratio of 1.09–1.3 0 ; petiole 8–13 mm long; and 10–12 pairs of secondary veins. Photographs and diagnostic tables differentiating this species from U. minor and U. glabra and detailed morphological characteristics of U . ivangabrieljanii sp. nov. are provided. The present fossil species, U . ivang a brieljanii sp. nov., is distinguished from all other modern Ulmus spp. by its characteristics of leaf shape, leaf size, leaf base, and venation. Key differences between U . ivangabrieljanii sp. nov. and fossil Ulmus species from Turkey, Iran, and Europe are presented. These morphological features clearly justify recognising U . ivangabrie l janii sp. nov. as a distinct fossil species. The discovery of U . ivangabrieljanii sp. nov. indicates that the genus Ulmus was already widely distributed in South – Western Asia during the Pleistocene, at a time when the regional climate was similar to the present – day conditions.References
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