The palynostratigraphy of the Edmonton Group (Upper Cretaceous) of Alberta, Canada

Abstract

Palynological studies of the mainly terrestrial Edmonton Group in Alberta, Canada have been undertaken for the last 64 years. The Edmonton Group is of Late Cretaceous (Campanian–Maastrichtian) age and was deposited on the northwestern fringes of the regressing North American inland sea. Satish K. Srivastava initiated the detailed palynological study of the Edmonton Group, publishing many papers on the taxonomy and biostratigraphy of this unit. Subsequent palynological studies have produced significant additional information about the biostratigraphy of these strata. The accumulated data on lithostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy and radiometric dating have allowed for a better understanding of the group. Satish K. Srivastava formalized many species from the Edmonton Group and a list of type specimens is provided together with new curation information. All of the microscope slides have been transferred to the collections of the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Neotypes and lectotypes are herein designated and illustrated for 21 missing original type specimens. Wodehouseia edmontonicola is emended and new combinations are proposed for Expressipollis catterallii, Siberiapollis major and Corrugatisporites verrucosus. The ranges of selected species provide an updated biostratigraphy for the Edmonton Group.