FOSSIL POLLEN OF LEGUMINOSAE-MIMOSOIDEAE IN THE LOWER OLIGOCENE OF THE EBRO BASIN (SPAIN) - PALAEOCLIMATOLOGIC AND PALEOGEOGRAPHIC IMPLICATIONS

Fossil mimosoid pollen have been recorded in the lower Oligocene of th e Ebro Basin (northern Spain). Three distinct taxa are recognized: Aca cia subgen. Aculeiferum, Acacia subgen. Phyllodineae (Mimosoideae-Acac ieae), and Albizia (Mimosoideae-Ingeae). Acacia subgen. Phyllodineae i s recorded for the first time in Europe and significantly expands the paleo-distribution of this, presently mainly Australian, subgenus. The Oligocene occurrence of Mimosoideae pollen in northern Spain is consi dered as indicative of an abrupt drier climatic pulse. At that time, s ome floral interchange between Europe and Africa through Spain is most likely.