Carya as marker for tree refuges in southern Italy (Boiano basin) at the Middle Pleistocene

摘要: Abstract The Carya genus, a tree of the Juglandaceae family, has restricted geographical distribution today, mainly confined to North America and Southeast Asia with precise range ecological requirements. During Neogene, had wide across northern hemisphere; however, its habitat was reduced progressively in response Pliocene Quaternary climate changes. In Early Middle Pleistocene paleobotanical records, is considered relic which testifies final climatic deterioration global effect cycles. lacustrine fluvio-palustrine sequence Boiano (Molise, Italy) records paleoenvironmental changes since Pleistocene. chronological framework based on several tephra layers, related known eruptions or directly dated, indicates that basal deposits are older than 440 ka. Palynological study sedimentary filling highlights vegetation from Oxygen Isotopic Stage (OIS) 13 2. biotope, characterized by continuous edaphic humidity, favored persistence hygrophilous taxa. Thus, present until OIS 9, represents latest occurrence Western Europe. basin could have been an refuge for arboreal flora. fact, physiography certainly softened impacts during glacial episodes. Therefore, late within palynological record time period when it commonly supposed be extinct Europe, leads consideration requirements as tool reconstructions identification areas.