A combined LM and SEM study of selected palynomorphs from the palaeoflora of the Paleocene Konservat-Lagerstätte Menat (Puy-de-Dôme, France)

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the course of a pilot study on the palynology of the late Paleocene (Thanetian) maar deposits of Menat (Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne, France), selected palynomorphs were analysed with the single grain technique. This technique allows for a consecutive analysis of individual grains by means of light microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The current study demonstrates the occurrence of diverse lineages of palynomorphs comprising algae, spores and pollen. So far 45 different types of palynomorphs were analysed, illustrated and wherever possible assigned to families encompassing chlorococcalean and zygnematalean algae, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms. The latter group was the most diverse one among the analysed palynomorphs. The palynomorphs described in this study represent only a small, non-representative selection of palynomorphs that occur in the palynoflora of the maar lake from Menat, and hence more effort is expected to be done in the future. However, the data and interpretations presented here are preliminary ones, they could help to understand and refine our knowledge about the palaeoflora and palaeoenvironments of this important locality and fossil archive, as well as their development through time.