Abstract:

 The fossil Quercus aff. delavayi Franch was collected from the Xiananshan Formation of the Miocene in Tiantai, Zhejiang Province, which is the same as extant Quercus delavayi Franch not only in the leaf architecture, but also in the epidermal characteristics. Macro and microcharacteristics show that present fossil material is related to extant Q. delavayi. By comparing microstructure of extant Q. delavayi growing in different regions and different years, it is found that the ontogeny of trichome base of Q. delavayi is a recapitulation to the phylogenetic development of trichome base of the subgenus Cyclobalanopsis. The comparison of cuticular characteristics between fossil and extant Q. delavayi based on the principle of the Nearest Living Relative species suggests that (1) atmospheric CO2 concentration in Miocene was about 39522±561ppmv; and that (2) the Miocene climate of Tiantai, Zhejiang was warmer and more humid than today.

Key words:

Key words: Quercus aff. delavayi Franch; fossil cuticle; Miocene; palaeoenvironment