STRATIGRAPHIC RELATIONS BETWEEN BOBOSHEVO PALEOFLORA AND FOSSIL FLORAS WITH LATE MIOCENE AGE IN BULGARIA

The relations between Boboshevo paleoflora and paleoflora localities in Bulgaria defined as Maeotian, early-middle or late Pontian age are analyzed. Investigating the similarities between the taxa found in these localities and the taxa found in Boboshevo fossil flora presented a reliable instrument for determination of the Boboshevo paleoflora age. Furthermore Jaccard similarity coefficient was used and based on it was concluded that the Boboshevo paleoflora is in close relations with the late Pontian paleoflora type and more precisely, Boboshevo paleoflora is very close to the Carmen fossil flora which has Messinian - early Zanclean age. This data supports the proposed Messinian - early Zanclean age of the Pokrovnik Formation which includes the flora-containing layers. This is opposite to the accepted so far middle Tortonian age of this formation.

Automated summary

The analysis shows that the Boboshevo paleoflora in Bulgaria is closely related to the late Pontian paleoflora type, specifically resembling the Carmen fossil flora with Messinian - early Zanclean age. This supports the proposed age of the Pokrovnik Formation, contradicting the previously accepted middle Tortonian age.