Angiosperm-like pollen from the ammonite-dated Oxfordian (Upper Jurassic) of France

Abstract

Two species of angiosperm-like pollen are described from an outcrop of lower Oxfordian Oxford Clay at Normandy, France. An Oxfordian age is established by ammonites (Quenstedtoceras mariae zone) and substantiated by associated age-diagnostic dinoflagellates. The angiosperm-like taxa are determined to be in place by their state of preservation and unique morphology. The more abundant taxon, Stellatopollis pocockii n. sp., closely resembles the pollen of extant Lilium bulbiferum in size and sculpture, but also closely resembles similar but smaller pollen found in the Lower Cretaceous. Stellatopollis Doyle 1975 is emended to include a wider range of Early Cretaceous reticulate monosulcate grains with crotonoid sculpture. A diporate species, Multimarginites sp. A, closely resembling the pollen of extant Bravaisia and Sanchezia (Acanthaceae) in size and sculpture is described and compared to a similar morphotype (Cornetipollis) from the late Triassic Richmond basin of Virginia The genus Multimarginites Germeraad, Hopping et Muller 1968 is emended as di- or triporate and polyplicate, since its multimarginate “colpi” are non-apertural harmomegathic furrows. The significance of these unusual pollen types in pre-Barremian strata is discussed and they are placed in perspective with angiosperm-like pollen and megafossils from the Late Triassic of North America. The new combination Carollina chateaunovii (Reyre) nov. com. was made.