A FRESH LOOK AT THE RICH ASSEMBLAGE FROM THE PLIOCENE SINK-HOLE OF WILLERSHAUSEN, GERMANY

The Willershausen assemblage is probably the richest of its kind in th e Pliocene of Europe. A conservative estimate indicates that there are at least 77 genera and some 130 species of plants involved. This is a ll the more surprising because the plant- and animal-remains originate from a sink-hole no more than 150 by 200 m. The proximity of differen t plant communities is responsible for the richness of the assemblage. The floristic affinities lie in present-day eastern Asia and to a les ser extent in northern America and Europe. Judging from the climatic r equirements of living counterparts, growth ring data and the high perc entage of deciduousness, the climate was seasonal with mean temperatur es slightly higher than at present. A picture of life in and around Wi llershausen Lake is presented. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.