Detailed Palynological Study Research Articles

Eocene palynoflora from the La Marcelina Formation, Patagonia, Argentina

Abstract Southern Patagonia contains several Eocene fossiliferous deposits that have only been superficially explored and studied. One of these corresponds to the La Marcelina Formation with outcrops in the south-western slope of the Deseado Massif, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. No detailed palynological studies have been performed so far in this unit. Here we estimate the age, palaeoenvironment, and climatic conditions based on the analysis of terrestrially derived spores, algae cysts, and pollen grains. The recovered association supports an Eocene age and concurs with a mixed flora, including Gondwanan and Neotropical elements, dominated by Podocarpaceae, Nothofagaceae, and Proteaceae, and that probably developed under a temperate and humid climate. Overall, these results expand our understanding of the composition of Eocene floras from the highest latitudes of South America, as well as provide new evidence of past paleoclimates for the area.

Presence of infratrappean Gondwana sediments below Deccan volcanic covered 1993 Killari earthquake region, Maharashtra (India) and geodynamical instability of the south Indian craton

KLR‐1 scientific deep borehole, drilled in the 1993 Killari earthquake region of Maharashtra (India), penetrated 8 m thick infratrappean sediments below a 338 m‐thick column of Deccan volcanics that rested over Neoarchean amphibolite to granulite facies mid‐crustal basement. Detailed palynological studies revealed the presence of characteristic Gondwana palynomorphs in sedimentary succession that includePlicatipollenites indicus,P. trigonalis,Parasaccites korbaensis,P. diffusus,Microbaculispora indica,Cyclobaculisporites minimus,Cyclogranisporites barakarensis,C. gondwanensis,Jayantisporites pseudozonatus,Leiosphaeridia bokaroensis,Latosporitessp.,Verrucosisporitessp., cf.V. ambiplicatusandStriatopodocarpites gondwanensis.Qualitative analyses of palynomorphs would suggest an Asselian age (298–295 Ma) for their formation and burial in dysoxic to anoxic conditions. Recorded palynological assemblages correlate well with continental Lower Gondwana (Early Permian) sediments of India, as well as other Gondwana continents, indicating a larger extent of Gondwana sedimentation than hitherto known today. Petrological studies indicate the presence of two types of carbonate units that overly the crystalline basement. A relatively coarse‐grained sparry carbonate rock immediately overlies the basement (Sample KIL‐7). The size of the carbonate crystals in the sparite vary from 100 to 500 μm. This unit is overlain by an extremely fine‐grained micrite resembling lime mud (Sample KIL‐6). Micrite is made of carbonate grains with an average size of 10 μm. X‐ray diffraction studies indicate that calcite is the dominant carbonate mineral, while dolomite and quartz occur in minor amounts. Geochemical analyses indicate that in these two samples of carbonate rock that overlie the basement, CaO (33.38 to 38.16 wt %) is higher than MgO (16.0–23.85 wt%). These infratrappeans sediments are also characterized by stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopic ratios ranging from −1.59 to −8.74‰ and −9.12 to −13.50‰ versus PDB, respectively, thereby conforming to non‐marine fresh water deposits. These findings provide first evidences of reactivation and rifting of Dharwar intracratonic regions during earliest Permian Gondwana Period, which led to severe lithospheric mantle destruction, and massive regional uplift and erosion of the granitic‐gneissic upper crust. Large scale inland‐rifting during the Gondwana sedimentation period was possibly a prelude to India‐Antarctic breakup during the early Cretaceous.

Microstructure of Croatian Wild Grapevine (Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris Gmel Hegi) Pollen Grains Revealed by Scanning Electron Microscopy.

Wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris Gmel Hegi) is dioecious with male and female plants, whereas domesticated grapevine is mostly hermaphrodite with self-fertile hermaphrodite flowers. The pollen morphology of wild grapevine has been poorly studied. There is no detailed palynological study of V. sylvestris in Croatia and neighboring countries. Here, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the pollen of V. sylvestris from male and female individuals growing at two natural sites in Croatia. The selective APT3 marker was used to confirm the flower phenotype with the genetic background. SEM analysis showed that the pollen grains of V. sylvestris were isopolar and radially symmetrical, with foveolate perforated ornamentation, regardless of the flower type of the individuals. All male flowers were 3-colporate and prolate in shape, whereas female individuals varied from subprolate to spheroidal and had inaperturate pollen grains. Pollen shape, dimensions and exine ornamentation proved very informative, and here we address the most polymorphic traits in the analyzed V. sylvestris individuals. Principal component analysis (PCA) and clustering based on pollen morphology variables clearly differentiated individuals by their flower type, and no grouping specific to population was observed, pointing to the conserved pollen structure of V. sylvestris. The results indicate the need to continue the palynological study of V. sylvestris and serve as a good phenotypic basis for functional genetic studies on genes involved in pollen morphology and function.

Can pollen exine ornamentation contribute to species delimitation in Korean Iris L. taxa (Iridaceae)?

ABSTRACT Iridaceae L. is a large and well-known plant family that is widely distributed across the northern hemisphere. According to recent and ongoing taxonomic revision, its largest genus, Iris L., includes 14 species of perennial herbs occurring in Korea. Although pollen morphological data have proved crucial to the resolution of systematic relationships within the Iris genus, detailed palynological studies of Korean irises are scarce. Thus, this study aimed to describe the pollen morphology of 14 species representing two subgenera (Limniris and Pardanthopsis) of Korean Iris and one closely related species (Sisyrinchium rosulatum) using scanning electron microscopy. Pollen grains of all studied taxa were large in size (P = 35.9–86.7 μm, E = 37.3–72.9 μm), oblate (P/E = 0.68) to prolate (P/E = 1.99) in shape, and monosulcate with a granulate-perforate aperture membrane. Three types of exine ornamentation were identified in Korean Iris species: perforate (Type I); microreticulate (Type II); and reticulate (Type III), which was divided into four distinct subtypes based on lumen diameter. The observed pollen micromorphological characters enabled species distinction and taxonomic delimitation to the series level in the genus. The pollen morphological data presented in this study may be of systematic significance to Korean Iris species.

The role of an ice-sheet, glacioisostatic movements and climate in the transformation of Middle Pleistocene depositional systems: a case study from the Reda site, northern Poland

ABSTRACT This study provides a new stratigraphic and palaeogeographic scheme for the time span between Marine Isotope Stages (MISs) 8 and 6. Based on detailed sedimentological and palynological studies, the roles of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet (SIS) advances and changing climate in the evolution of sedimentary environments is considered. At the Reda site, northern Poland, vertically stacked, 25 m thick glacigenic and fluvial successions were distinguished and divided into four depositional complexes. Two glacigenic units (R1 and R 2), representing two SIS advances in study area, are separated by two fluvial units (R2 and R3). The first SIS advance recorded at the Reda site took place at the end of MIS 8. Proglacial fluvial systems transported material along the ice margin towards the NW (R1 complex). Migration of the forebulge during deglaciation led to incision and opened the outflow towards the SW. During the younger part of MIS 7, the older fluvial unit (R2 complex) was deposited in a sand-bed braided fluvial system in boreal climate conditions. Local erosion and change in the sedimentation style into a meandering one under periglacial conditions took place (R3 complex). The progressive cooling of the climate towards the end of MIS 6 resulted in another SIS transgression and deposition of coarse-grained sediments (R4 complex) in the ice-marginal zone during deglaciation. SIS played a key role in the formation of R1 and R4 complexes. Glacial processes managed the reshaping the landscape through the erosion of older sediments and in the formation of accommodation space. Glacioisostatic movement controlled accommodation space, accumulation-erosion ratio, size of catchment and morphology of the valley.

Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 in eastern England: further palynological and geochemical data from Melton Ross

The lowermost 1.45 m of the Welton Chalk Formation, including the regional sedimentary record of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE-2), has been sampled at Melton Ross Quarry in eastern England, UK. The section is investigated for organic geochemistry and stable isotopes for the first time, while a detailed palynological study follows previously published preliminary results. It comprises a condensed interval that spans the Cenomanian–Turonian Stage boundary. A locally preserved, lower ‘anomalous’ succession (Beds I–VII) and a ‘Central Limestone’ (Bed A) are shown to correlate respectively with the pre-Plenus sequence and Plenus Bed at Misburg and Wunstorf in the Lower Saxony Basin (LSB), NW Germany. They are overlain by a succession of variegated marls (Bed B to Bed H), including the Black Band (Beds C–E), that can be correlated across eastern England. Based on a carbon isotope (δ 13 C) profile and dinoflagellate cyst and acritarch bio-event correlation, Beds B–H appear to be a highly attenuated post-Plenus equivalent of the LSB succession, including part of the ‘Fish Shale’. The δ 13 C profile shows possible ‘precursor’/‘build-up’ events in the lower succession at Melton Ross, with the main OAE-2 δ 13 C excursion occurring in the Central Limestone and overlying Beds B–H. The darker coloured marls from the Black Band and Bed G contain 1.43–3.47% total organic carbon (TOC), hydrogen index values of 78–203 mg HC/g TOC and oxygen index values of 15–26 mg CO 2 /g TOC, indicating type III and type II–III organic matter, of mixed terrigenous and marine algal sources. The corresponding palynological assemblages are dominated by marine dinoflagellate cysts, comprising mainly gonyaulacoid taxa, with subordinate terrigenous miospores, mainly gymnosperm bisaccate pollen, consistent with a distal marine setting. The interbedded lighter-coloured marls contain less than 0.4% TOC and lower proportions of miospores and peridinioid dinoflagellate cysts compared with the darker layers. This is suggestive of moderately raised levels of productivity during deposition of the darker layers, possibly related to greater nutrient availability from land-derived sources. The occurrence of the peridinioid taxa Eurydinium saxoniense and Bosedinia spp., together with higher proportions of prasinophyte phycomata in the darker layers, may also point to stimulation of organic-walled phytoplankton productivity by reduced nitrogen chemo-species encroaching the photic zone, possibly by expansion of an oxygen-minimum zone. Exceptionally high concentrations of palynomorphs (in the tens of thousands to lower hundreds of thousands per gramme range) in the darker layers at Melton Ross and eight other eastern England localities is consistent with increased quality of seafloor preservation in a low oxygen environment, coupled with a high degree of stratigraphic condensation. Two new dinoflagellate cyst species are described from Melton Ross, Canninginopsis ? lindseyensis sp. nov. and Trithyrodinium maculatum sp. nov., along with two taxa described in open nomenclature. Supplementary material : One pdf file, with detailed sample positions and descriptions, tables of supporting information (also available in Excel format), quarry photographs and a palynological distribution chart, is available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4987205

Palaeovegetation and palaeoclimate changes across the Triassic–Jurassic transition in the Sichuan Basin, China

The Triassic–Jurassic transition interval is marked by enhanced biotic turnover rates in both marine and terrestrial realms. However, limited data from Asia hampers the understanding of global ecosystem response to the end-Triassic mass extinction event. Here, we present significant vegetation and climate changes across the Triassic–Jurassic transition in the eastern Tethys region (southern China). A detailed palynological study was performed from the Qilixia section of the Sichuan Basin, China, spanning the Upper Triassic (Norian–Rhaetian) (Xujiahe Formation) to the Lower Jurassic (Hettangian–Sinemurian) (lower Zhenzhuchong Formation). Five palynological assemblages reveal significant ecosystem fluctuations across the Triassic–Jurassic transition. Our study indicates a lowland fern flora and a warm and humid climate in the Late Triassic (Norian to Rhaetian), interrupted by a cooler interval at the Norian–Rhaetian transition, and followed by a mixed mid-storey forest under cooler and drier condition in the latest Rhaetian. This is followed by a fern-dominated lowland vegetation and a warmer and drier climate during the Triassic–Jurassic transition, and a flora with abundant cheirolepid conifers in the Hettangian–Sinemurian. These long term changes in vegetation and inferred climatic conditions are comparable with records from the western Tethyan realm, and possibly reflect global terrestrial environmental changes associated with Central Atlantic Magmatic Province volcanism during the Triassic–Jurassic transition.

Middle–late Cambrian acritarchs of the Zagros Basin, southwestern Iran

A detailed palynological study was conducted in the lower Palaeozoic of the Zagros Basin (southwestern Iran) where the Mila and Ilbeyk formations are present in several areas. The Mila Formation mainly consists of dolostones, limestones and shales deposited in a shallow marine to outer ramp environment. It is conformably overlain by the Ilbeyk Formation, characterised by shales and sandstones with scattered limestone intervals deposited in a setting extending from shoreface to low-energy offshore environments. The palynological investigation of the Mila and Ilbeyk formations from the Chalisheh, Ghalikuh and Oshtorankuh areas allows the establishment of three palynozones. These can be well correlated with the palynozonations from adjacent areas and/or with middle–late Cambrian sections independently dated with trilobites. These correlations are useful for the age determination of the Cambrian successions from southern Iran. The Cambrian assemblages exhibit close affinities with microfloras from peri-Gondwana (including the countries belonging to the Avalonia microcontinent in the Early Ordovician) and Baltica, confirming that these palaeogeographical domains were part of the same large bioprovince, as shown in current palaeogeographical maps.

Gondwana biostratigraphy and geology of West Bengal Basin, and its correlation with adjoining Gondwana basins of India and western Bangladesh

Integrated biostratigraphic and geological studies on the drilled exploratory boreholes of West Bengal Basin have revealed the presence of very thick distinctive Permo-Triassic Gondwana successions in the subsurface, and widely recognized across the basin below the latest Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Rajmahal Traps. Precise geological age of identified Gondwana lithounits of this basin is inferred on the basis of associated palynofloral assemblages along with their correlation with the adjoining Gondwana basins. In addition, two Gondwanic grabens are recognized below the pericratonic set-up whose presence in this basin, till now, are poorly understood. Detailed palynological studies on the Gondwana successions in the key boreholes of this basin enable recognition of 12 established palynological zones ranging from Early Permian (Asselian) to Middle Triassic (Ladinian). Lower Gondwana (Permian) palynofloras of this basin resemble earlier recorded palynofloras from the Talchir, Barakar and Raniganj formations of Indian Gondwana basins, suggesting the occurrence of well-developed above Lower Gondwana lithounits in this basin and the absence of Karharbari and Barren Measures formations which are marked by the non-depositional hiatuses. Upper Gondwana successions (Triassic) of the basin are represented by the Early and Middle Triassic palynofloras only that resemble Panchet and Supra-Panchet (Molangdighi Formation) palynofloral assemblages, and indicate the absence of Late Triassic succession of Upper Gondwana. Newly acquired geological and Bouguer anomaly data, and spatial distribution of Gondwana bearing boreholes across the basin suggest that the boreholes of CHK-A, GB-A, HRP-A, AMD-A, PLS-A and MNG-A fall in a well-defined NNE–SSW aligned graben, defined as the ‘Chandkuri–Palasi–Bogra Gondwanic Graben’ which includes Chandkuri and Palasi Gondwana basins in Indian part and Bogra Gondwana Basin in western Bangladesh where thick Gondwana successions are recognised in the subsurface sections of Singra (Singra-1X, Kuchma-X1, Bogra-X1), Jamalganj (EDH-1, 6) and Barapukuria (GDH-40, 43) coalfields. Gondwana bearing boreholes in the western margins of West Bengal Basin (GLS-A, GLS-B, GLS-C) represent a quite separate Gondwana basin of ‘Galsi’ which is located in the southern part of the N–S trending ‘Purnea–Rajmahal–Galsi Gondwanic Graben’. Latest Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Rajmahal Traps cap the Gondwana successions in the above Gondwana basins of West Bengal Basin along with Bogra and Rajmahal Gondwana basins. Rajmahal Traps and its infra- and intertrappean beds are exlcuded from the Gondwana cycle as these beds are marked by the Early Cretaceous marine dinoflagellate cysts, and the Rajmahal volcanism took place after a very long time gap from Late Triassic to Late Jurassic (ca. 78 my). Rajmahal Traps and its infra- and intertrappean beds indeed represent the post-Gondwana syn-rift sequence in West Bengal, Mahanadi and Rajmahal basins, and closely related with the break-up of Indian Plate from the East Gondwanaland during Tithonian (ca. 150 Ma). The post-trappean Late Cretaceous successions mark the initiation of passive-margin phase in this basin with the deposition of marine Bolpur and Ghatal formations.

CISTOS DE DINOFLAGELADOS DO HOLOCENO DA PLANÍCIE COSTEIRA DE SANTA CATARINA (POÇO PSC-03): DESCRIÇÕES TAXONÔMICAS E IMPLICAÇÕES PALEOAMBIENTAIS

Estudos palinológicos de detalhe abordando cistos de dinoflagelados quaternários de depósitos sedimentares brasileiros são relativamente escassos. A análise palinológica de sedimentos do Holoceno do poço PSC-03 (27º53'22"S; 48º39'04'' W) perfurado na Planície Costeira de Santa Catarina, sul do Brasil, revelou associações palinológicas abundantes e diversificadas que incluem palinomorfos terrestres (esporos, grãos de pólen, fungos, algas de água doce) e marinhos (cistos de dinoflagelados, palinoforaminíferos). A não exposição das amostras a métodos agressivos, tais como oxidação e acetólise, durante o processamento laboratorial permitiu a recuperação de cistos da Família Protoperidiniaceae. Três gêneros (Brigantedinium spp., Lejeunecysta spp., Spiniferites spp.) e quatro espécies (Brigantedinium simplex, Selenopemphix nephroides, S. quanta, Operculodinium centrocarpum) de cistos de dinoflagelados são descritos e ilustrados aqui, constituindo uma das associações fósseis mais diversificadas do grupo para o Holoceno brasileiro. A associação de cistos de dinoflagelados sugere ambiente marinho marginal, com águas superficiais susceptíveis a variação de salinidade e alta concentração de nutrientes.

Changes in Pleistocene vegetation and climate of Ukraine in the range of 1.8-0.4 million years

On the basis of the analysis of the results of detailed palynological studies of Pleistocene deposits in Ukraine, the correlation between climatic changes and vegetation dynamics was retraced in the range of 1.8-0.43 million years. The curve of paleoclimate changes was constructed and analyzed. It was shown that certain climatic characteristics were inherent for each stage of the nature development, which was reflected in the composition of vegetation. It was found thattemperature and humidity fluctuations also occurred during each stage. The evidence of this is the reconstructed micro-rhythm in the development of vegetation of each stage. The main features of vegetation composition were determined for four warm and five cold stages of nature development, and a pattern of vegetation changes was retraced during each stage. The dynamics of vegetation cover of the Prydonetska Plain, different parts of the Prydniprovska Lowland, the Prydniprovska Upland, the Near Black Sea Lowland, and the Podil’ska Upland vegetation during the specified geological time was reconstructed. General and regional distinctions of the composition of vegetation cover were revealed, and the influence of the main climatic factors such as temperature and humidity on the character of its changes was retraced. The stages characterized by the warmest and wet climatic conditions and the most cold and dry ones were established. It was substantiated that the climatic conditions of the Sula period were less severe than in the subsequent stages of the fall of temperature. The existence of refugiums of thermophilic flora in the Sula period within separate regions of Ukraine was established. The existence of vegetation zonality was substantiated not only in warm stages, but also in cold periods of the Early Neopleistocene.

Palynomorphs from Late Holocene sediments of the eutrophic Lake Manyas, NW Anatolia

Lake Manyas is one of the twelve “Ramsar Sites” in Turkey designated as “Wetlands of International Importance.” The wildlife and ecological richness of the lake has been the subject of several studies for many years; however, no detailed palynological study has been reported from the area. A rich and diverse assemblage of palynomorphs from sediment samples of the lake were studied to investigate how micro-flora and -fauna in and around the lake were reflected in the deposits during the Late Holocene. Palynomorphs were grouped into four categories; arboreal taxa (AP) made up 30,7%, non-arboreal taxa (NAP) 9,6%, aquatic and marshland plants 26,8% and zoological remains 32,8% of the total of 1463 particles. Apart from AP and NAP taxa, pollen of shoreline plants i.e. reeds, sedges and grasses growing around the lowland areas of the lake; spores of cryptogams, liverworts, and bryophyte-peat moss; free-floating or rooted angiosperms; zygospores of green algae; plant-like algae and cyanobacteria; and ubiquitous protozoans living along the shores of the lake on wet ground are grouped under aquatic and wetland plants and organisms. A total of 37 morphological types of zoological remains were described and identified. Three palynological zones (PZ) were delineated based on absolute abundance and percentages of the taxa; PZ I ca 1690–1790 AD, PZ II to ca1790–1890 AD, and PZ III to ca 1890–1998 AD. The turnover of the zones was discussed by inferring to anthropogenic influences and climatic changes.

Morphological, anatomical, palynological and ecological data on the local endemic Dianthus vanensis (Caryophyllaceae) from Turkey

A first detailed taxonomical, palynological, and ecological study of the Turkish endemic Dianthus vanensis is shown based on field data collected at locus classicus. A revised morphological description, including data of seed and pollen by using Scanning Electron Microscope, is provided. Seed surface displays elongated cells, which are lobate with 14−28 teeth, I, S shaped or irregular, and papillate. Pollen grains are radially symmetric, apolar, pantoporate and spheroidal shape (size: 40.38 ± 0.64 × 37.98 ± 0.36 µm), with scabrate ornamentation, and 9–12 pores elliptical (different margin), and operculate (size: 6.17 ± 0.23 × 4.17 ± 0.39 µm). The anatomy of root, stem and leaf are also investigated. On the outer surface of the root is placed a multi-layered periderm. The cortex consists of multi-layered parenchymatic cells under periderm, and its thickness is 176.49 ± 7.85 µm. In the stem cross-sections, it is noticed one epidermis layer, comprising of flat cells in outermost. Its thickness ranged between 28.13 and 35.29 µm. The type of vascular bundle is hadrocentric. In the abaxial and adaxial surfaces of the leaf are located 1-layer epidermis cells, comprising of the flat or rectangular cells. The leaf is equifacial. Leaves have collateral vascular type. IUCN category of the taxon is assessed CR (Critical Endangered) based on criterion B2a,b(iii).

Розвиток рослинності півострова Сконе (Південна Швеція) у ранньому і середньому голоцені за палінологічними даними

The paper presents a detailed palynological study of a sediment core from Lake Vomb in the central Scania, south Sweden. The pollen spectra are dominated by arboreal taxa, namely Alnus sp., Corylus avellana, Quercus sp., Pinus sylvestris, Betula sp. and others. The appearance and frequencies changes of the various pollen taxa show a vegetation succession from the Late Glacial to Middle Holocene. During the Late Glacial, open tundra-steppe prevailed around the lake, and the vegetation cover was sparse. In the early Holocene tundra-steppe vegetation changed to open woodland with Betula and Pinus as main elements, although, some types of tundra-steppe vegetation were present, such as Artemisia sp. and Chenopodiaceae. During the Boreal period, the area of coniferous forests gradually reduced and the migration of nemoral vegetation to southern Sweden began. During the Atlantic period, deciduous Quercus forests with Ulmus, Tilia and Fraxinus prevailed around the lake. The emergence of the Neolithic settlements at the end of the Atlantic period was reflected in the reduction of forest areas due to felling and burning of trees. The beginning of human impact on the vegetation was traced following the appearance of pollen of cultivated grasses and anthropophytes (e.g. Plantago lanceolata, Rumex acetosa). In the Subboreal period, cultural landscapes of the southern Sweden combined natural deciduous forests and meadows, pastures and arable land of ancient cultures. In the middle of the Subboreal time, migration of Fagus and Carpinus to the Scania began.

Vegetation and climate changes during the last two glacial-interglacial cycles in the western Mediterranean: A new long pollen record from Padul (southern Iberian Peninsula)

A new sediment core from Padul, Padul-15-05, provides a long and continuous sedimentary and paleoenvironmental record of the last ∼200 kyr. Here we present a detailed palynological study from this sedimentary sequence with new vegetation and paleoenvironmental data and a climatic interpretation for the last two climatic cycles from the southern Iberian Peninsula in the western Mediterranean region. Pollen analysis from this core shows orbital-scale vegetation oscillations (mainly forced by precession and eccentricity) pointing into insolation as the principal factor controlling vegetation changes at this latitude. The last two glacial-interglacial cycles (from MIS 6 to the present) as well as stadial and interstadial phases are well represented and characterized by significant oscillations in Mediterranean forest in the area, but several differences with respect to other Mediterranean long pollen records can be recognized. Some of these disparities between regions seem to be more related to different precipitation rates linked to the specific geographical features (e.g. strong topographic relief) than to latitudinal differences between the sites. In addition, a lake level reconstruction based on palynological data was developed and compared with the previous reconstruction from this record, representing local environmental changes in the Padul wetland that seems to be related to precipitation/evapotranspiration balance, and therefore, to changes in regional climate conditions. During glacial/stadial conditions recorded by maxima in xerophytes, the p/e increased due to very low evapotranspiration, resulting in high lake levels, while during warmer interglacial/interstadial phases (except for the MIS 5e), mainly represented in this record by maxima in the Mediterranean forest, water level decreased as a result of high evapotranspiration exceeding precipitation input. The comparison of the new Padul-15-05 pollen record with the two previous palynological studies from Padul shows significant differences mainly due to disagreements in the age control of the sequences. This study shows that an accurate age-depth model becomes essential when interpreting long paleoenvironmental and paleoclimate records.

Cyclic floral succession and fire in a Cenozoic wetland/peatland system

The cyclic succession of brown coals in the Latrobe Valley, Gippsland Basin, Australia, records an exceptional floral and charcoal record from the Late Oligocene to Middle Miocene. New palynological, geological and charcoal data are consistent with existing colourimetry, carbon isotope, and organic geochemical and palaeobotanical data, indicating that the repeated lithotype cycles represent relative drying (terrestrialization). Based on this detailed palynological study, the vegetation succession within the Latrobe Valley peatlands is interpreted to have begun with a fire-prone emergent marsh of bulrushes (Typhaceae), which grades landward into a fire-prone meadow marsh of rushes (Restionaceae), heaths (Ericaceae) and coral-ferns (Gleicheniaceae). This marsh environment then developed into a forested bog, with gymnosperms (e.g. the Podocarpaceae Dacrycarpus and Dacrydium) as the dominant trees, until an ombrogenous forest bog developed, predominantly consisting of angiosperms (e.g. Nothofagus, Quintinia).The similarity between vegetation successions in New Zealand and the lightening-upwards cycles from the Latrobe Valley coals suggests that New Zealand's modern vegetation communities represent a floral analogue for the successions preserved in the Latrobe Valley coals. High abundances of micro and macro charcoal recorded in the darker lithotypes, within the lithotype cycles of the M1B and M2A seams, suggest that the Latrobe Valley peatlands were subject to repeated fires during the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene.

Record of Gondwana Plant Mega- and Microfossils in Nimugudem Area, Telangana, India:Palynodating and Palaeoenvironmental Interpretation

The present study is a record of Permian (Lower Gondwana) and late Jurassic-early Cretaceous (Upper Gondwana) palynomorphs in megafossilbearing beds in Nimugudem area, Godavari subbasin, Telangana, India. Detailed palynological studies were carried out on outcrop samples from the exposure in a nala of Nimugudem area where leaf impressions of plant megafossils were also observed. Leaf impressions of Ptilophyllum and Pterophyllum recorded in this section indicate Upper Gondwana affinity for these sediments. Presence of different species of palynomorphs of Upper Gondwana affinity in sandstone beds indicates late Jurassic-early Cretaceous (Tithonian- Berriasian) age for these sediments. It is equivalent to Kota/Gangapur Formation of Godavari Graben. Reworked Permian palynomorphs were recorded in these sediments. The coal exposure yielding late Permian palynomorphs belongs to Raniganj Formation.

Reconstruction of the environmental history of a coastal insular system using shallow marine records: the last three millennia of the Cíes Islands (Ría de Vigo,NWIberia)

The coastal lagoon‐beach complex at the Cíes Islands located at the opening of the Ría de Vigo (NWIberia) is an important ecosystem currently threatened by anthropogenic impacts and climate variations. We used multiproxy marine sediment analyses to reconstruct the millennial environmental dynamics of this insular system and, in particular, the recent history of its coastal lagoon. Geophysical surveys were used to obtain bathymetry and identify the major sedimentary units of its closest submarine basin as well as their sediment sources. Core samples were taken in the middle and distal parts of the sedimentary body, where several prograding sedimentary units are thinner, allowing continuous sampling of the facies. Lithological, textural, elemental and chronological analyses were carried out on two cores. The detailed palynological studies on one of the cores included the analyses of the pollen, non‐pollen palynomorphs and dinocysts dating back three millennia. Our results revealed noticeable environmental changes affecting this area during the last 3000 years, due mainly to changing climate and oceanic conditions but also to the impact of historic human occupation of the islands. Several cold events (the 2.8 kaBPevent and the Little Ice Age) characterized by enhanced upwelling alternated with warmer stormy periods of prevailing downwelling conditions in the ria. These circumstances altered the balance amongst the lacustrine, marsh, dune and lagoon systems, opening ephemeral inlets and modifying the trophic stage of the shallow waters surrounding the archipelago. Here we provide a background of the human and climatic impacts affecting these highly sensitive habitats, which may serve to improve their future management strategies.

Campanian to Eocene dinoflagellate cyst biostratigraphy from the Tahar and Sekada sections at Arba Ayacha, western External Rif, Morocco

Our detailed palynological study of the Upper Cretaceous–Lower Eocene marly succession from the Sekada and Tahar sections in southern Arba Ayacha, westernmost External Rif Chain (northwestern Morocco), has provided precise age determinations based on dinoflagellate cyst biostratigraphy. Dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts), which are the dominant palynomorphs, allowed us to recognize the following ages: Late Campanian, Early and Late Maastrichtian, Danian, Selandian, Thanetian and Early Ypresien. Published studies on the western External Rif based on lithostratigraphy, show conflicting ages of Late Cretaceous (Senonian) and Early Eocene. Our age determinations are based on dinocyst events, which are more reliable. We recognize the Late Campanian on the First Occurrence (FO) and Last Occurrence (LO) of Exochosphaeridium? masureae, and the FO of Cerodinium spp., and the LOs of Cribroperidinium wilsonii subsp. wilsonii, Odontochitina porifera and Trithyrodinium suspectum. The Early Maastrichtian is denoted by the FOs of Alterbidinium varium and Palaeocystodinium golzowense and the LO of Alterbidinium acutulum. We define the Late Maastrichtian on the FOs of Disphaerogena carposphaeropsis and Glaphyrocysta perforata, and the LOs of Alisogymnium euclaense, Dinogymnium spp., Isabelidinium cooksoniae, and Pterodinium cretaceum, plus the worldwide latest Maastrichtian acme of Manumiella seelandica. Marking the Danian is the overall range of Senoniasphaera inornata, the FOs of Carpatella cornuta, Damassadinium californicum and Membranilarnacia? tenella. Species having LOs in the Selandian incude Cerodinium diebelii, Manumiella seelandica, Senoniasphaera inornata, Palaeocystodinium australinum and Cerodinium speciosum. We recognize the Thanetian mainly on the FO of Homotryblium tenuispinosum and based the worldwide terminal Thanetian acme of Apectodinium spp. The Early Ypresian is characterized by the FO of Deflandrea phosphoritica and a high abundance of Apectodinium spp. and Kenleyia spp. Thus, we now know that the rocks outcropping in the Sekada and Tahar sections are Late Campanian to Early Ypresian in age.

Palynostratigraphic and U-Pb CA-IDTIMS isotopic dating of the upper Orallo Formation, northern Surat Basin, Queensland

The Jurassic–Cretaceous transition in the Surat Basin, Queensland, has not been previously subjected to detailed palynological study and biostratigraphic assessment. The associated lithostratigraphic succession, that is represented by the upper Westbourne Formation, the unconformably overlying Gubberamunda Sandstone, and the succeeding Orallo Formation and Mooga Sandstone, represents the most complete record of deposition for the interval in Queensland. Several important aquifers and aquitards occur in this succession, and a refined palynological biostratigraphy may assist in providing more accurate correlations and improved conceptual models for its deposition and spatial variability. Preliminary results of the investigation suggest that the existing pan-Australian zonal scheme and the informal alphanumeric scheme widely applied in eastern Australia can be modified to more accurately reflect the stratigraphic distribution of palynomorph species present in, and the overall palynofloral composition of, these uppermost Jurassic–lowermost Cretaceous rocks, not only in the Surat Basin but also, by extrapolation, their equivalents in other eastern Australian basins. This will thus facilitate more accurate intra- and inter-basinal correlations. In the Orallo Formation material studied to date, zone-index fossils—though present—have proved to be scarce, but this is relative to the extreme richness and the diversity of taxa in the assemblages, the composition of which appears to differ significantly from that described in the literature, and reflects the temperate climate in the environment of deposition. On an introductory basis—as the study is in its early stages—a number of new species have been provisionally identified, and several existing species are seemingly in need of taxonomic emendation.