First palynological data from the Jurassic South Xiangshan Formation (Nanjing area, China)

Abstract

The outcrops of the Xiangshan Group have been studied since the beginning of the twentieth century, yielding a rich macroflora (the Xiangshan Flora), mainly from the lower part of the Xiangshan Group (South Xiangshan Formation). Nevertheless, no palynological data have been published so far from the South Xiangshan Formation. The present study provides the first palynostratigraphic data of the South Xiangshan Formation. More than 50 fossil taxa from 30 fossil genera have been identified, allowing for a more accurate dating. The most characteristic taxa are Polycingulatisporites triangularis, Quadraeculina anellaeformis, Manumia delcourtii, Ischyosporites variegatus, Callialasporites turbatus, C. trilobatus, C. minus, and Sestrosporites pseudoalveolatus, suggesting a late Toarcian-late Aalenian age for the South Xiangshan Formation. These results are consistent with previous studies suggesting a middle-late Early Jurassic age for this formation; consequently, the most probable age for the South Xiangshan Formation is late Toarcian (late Early Jurassic).