Annotated catalog of the Egyptian macrofossil plants: An overview of over 200 years of research—Cryptogamae and Phanerogamae

Abstract

An annotated catalog of the Egyptian plant macrofossil remains is presented for the first time, based on a comprehensive assessment of the literature. Updated information on the plant macrofossils covering a period of over two centuries is incorporated. The catalog systematically comprises the records of all macrofossil taxa (including macroalgae) recovered from different Egyptian deposits. Taxa span from Devonian to Quaternary. A total of 643 taxa (130 calcareous algae, 172 pteridophytes, 97 gymnosperms, and 244 angiosperms), belonging to 317 genera and 130 families, are reported. The Cretaceous era represents the richest plant-bearing strata; over 100 taxa were recorded from these layers. The most represented angiosperm family was Arecaceae (39 species in 10 genera), followed by Fabaceae (30 species in 19 genera), then Moraceae (19 species in 4 genera). Leaves were the most diverse of all plant organs (108 taxa in 59 genera), followed by stems (87 taxa in 39 genera), then fruits and seeds (30 taxa in 21 genera). Other plant organs or parts of organs (rhizome, root, leaf petiole, and rachis) were rarely encountered as fossils. Flowers have never been reported. Families, genera, and specific epithets are arranged in alphabetical order, followed by synonyms. For each taxon, a brief annotation of the locality(ies), the geological age(s), and the literature citing the taxon from Egypt is also provided. A synopsis of orders, families, subfamilies, and genera is given. Descriptions and illustrations are planned for special subsequent publications.