Miospore Biozones Research Articles

Biostratigraphic and structural research in the Guedelhinha–Lançadoiras–Algaré sector in the context of the geology of the Neves–Corvo mine region, Iberian Pyrite Belt

Based on drill hole sampling and sedimentary rock dating by palynology, the present research focuses on the palynostratigraphic events established in the key geological section of Guedelhinha–Lançadoiras–Algaré located in the Portuguese Neves–Corvo mine region, Iberian Pyrite Belt. The age data allow detailing the lithostratigraphic sequence and further understanding the complex structural setting, representing an important contribution to the geological knowledge of this sector located to the immediate WNW of the Neves–Corvo VMS deposit. The combination of the studied events allows the reconstruction of the Devonian-Carboniferous sedimentation and paleoenvironments along the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Several stratigraphic hiatuses identified in the Neves–Corvo region by the palynological record are confirmed, mainly occurring from the mid Frasnian to mid Famennian, from the early and mid Strunian, and from the early to late Tournaisian, which were mainly coincident with the worldwide extinction events, in particular during Frasnian–Famennian and Late Devonian times. Extensional tectonics and related gravitational faults, local uplift mechanisms and intense volcanic activity could also explain the lack of palynological data and sedimentary hiatus. In this research, the importance of the late Strunian times in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (Miospore Biozone LN of the Neves Formation) is highlighted, confirming the contemporaneity of felsic volcanism, hydrothermalism, sulphide mineralization precipitation and black shale anoxic sedimentation.

Miospores from the Upper Devonian and lowermost Carboniferous strata of the Khoshyeilagh area, northeastern Alborz, Iran

Diverse and well-preserved terrestrial palynomorphs occur in the Padeha, Khoshyeilagh, and Mobarak formations in the Khoshyeilagh area, northeastern Alborz, northern Iran. The spore assemblages consist of 36 species belonging to 24 genera. The vertical distribution of index spores allows the erection within these strata of five local biozones (BT, FF, LE, LN, and VI). The data show that assemblages recorded from the Khoshyeilagh section can be correlated with the VCo, LE, LN, and VI Miospore biozones of Europe, Canada, and USA. Many of the palynomorph species, such as Archaeoperisaccus ovalis, Ancyrospora ampulla, Diducites mucronatus, D. versabilis, Grandispora cornuta, G. echinata, Indotriradites explanatus, Retispora lepidophyta, Retusotriletes incohatus, R. phillipsii, Rugospora flexuosa, Teichertospora torquata, Tumulispora malevkensis, Vallatisporites pusillites, Verrucosisporites bulliferus, and Verrucosisporites nitidus, are closely comparable with coeval assemblages recorded from Belgium, Portugal, Canada, North Africa, South America, and North America. This indicates the close relationship of the Iranian Platform to other parts of the northern Gondwana and southern Laurentian domain during this time interval. Moreover, parent plants of the Late Devonian miospores in the Khoshyeilagh area generally belong to herbaceous Class Rhyniopsida (orders: Rhyniales, Trimerophytales), Zosterophyllopsida, and various classes such as, Lycopsida (herbaceous order: Isoetales, Selaginellales, Protolepidodendrales), Progymnospermopsida (Order Archaeopteridales and Aneuropthytales), and Filicopsida. The presence of marine shelly macrofauna (brachiopods and corals) suggest a nearshore depositional environment comprising rivers, fluvial deltas, tidal flats, and lagoons for the Upper Devonian and lowermost Carboniferous deposits studied herein.

Palynological analysis of the lower member of the Hongguleleng Formation and discussion of the Frasnian/Famennian boundary in Western Junggar, NW China

Palynological investigations have been carried out on samples from the Upper Devonian Hongguleleng Formation of Western Junggar, Xinjiang, NW China. In total, 26 miospore species belonging to 19 genera and 28 acritarch species assigned to 19 genera have been recognized from the lower member of the Hongguleleng Fm. in the Bulongguoer section. The palynofloral assemblages, in particular the miospore taxa, are similar to those from the eastern European early Famennian Corbulispora vimineus–Geminospora vasjamica (VV) and Cyrtospora cristifer–Diaphanospora zadonica (CZ) miospore biozones, albeit quantitatively and qualitatively depauperate. The miospore assemblage zone is also consistent with the previous zonal schemes in light of brachiopod and conodont fauna assemblages, as well as carbon isotope geochemistry, that indicates a correspondence to the Palmatolepis crepida conodont Biozone. Part of the earliest Famennian Corbulispora vimineus–Geminospora vasjamica (VV) (more or less equivalent to the Palmatolepis triangularis conodont Biozone) miospore Biozone is most likely to be missing in the Hongguleleng Fm. of the Bulongguoer section. The palynostratigraphy and sedimentary sequence in Western Junggar are very similar to those from some other regions of western and eastern Europe, which increases the knowledge of the evolution of the paleoclimate, paleogeography and regional sedimentary environment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), Eastern European Platform, and Laurussia.

New insights on the middle Givetian/middle Frasnian palynofloras from the Phyllite-Quartzite Formation in the Neves-Corvo mine region (Iberian Pyrite Belt, Portugal)

A detailed palynostratigraphic study of two Somincor/Lundin Mining exploration drill holes intercepting the Phyllite-Quartzite (PQ) Formation in the geological basement of the Neves-Corvo mine region (Portuguese sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt – IPB) allowed to first recognise the oldest ages for this formation in this region, ranging from midGivetian/midFrasnian (base unknown) to late Famennian. The TA Miospore Biozone (Cristatisporites triangulatus-Ancyrospora ancyrea) of middle Givetian age (Middle Devonian) was identified in NK30B-1 drill hole (Lombador North mine sector), whereas the BM Miospore Biozone (Verrucosisporites bulliferus-Lophozonotriletes media) and IV Miospore Biozone (based in the first occurrence of Rugospora bricei and Diducites cf. poljessicus) of middle Frasnian (Late Devonian) age were both recognised in drill hole SJ32 (Corvo-Semblana mine sector). The common presence of Early-Middle Devonian reworked spores, as well as similar inherited zircon ages may suggest that the lower PQ Formation age is not yet known.At Neves-Corvo mine, the Volcano-Sedimentary Complex is deposited directly above the PQ basement, spanning different ages, pointing out two major unconformities, a VSC/upper and/or lower PQ sequences and an upper PQ/lower PQ sequences.A palynostratigraphic correlation of the lowermost Phyllite-Quartzite Formation across the IPB is established. Phyllite-Quartzite Formation palynoassemblage of Neves-Corvo region is compared with lowermost PQ assemblages recovered in the NW sector of IPB (S. Francisco da Serra and Lousal-Caveira mine structures, Portugal) and in E sectors of the IPB in Spain (Gerena-El Garrobo section). The similar palynological record (also including the same reworked taxa signature) and ages obtained, suggests identical sedimentary provenance, close paleogeographic domain and temporal affinity throughout the lowermost IPB Phyllite-Quartzite Formation.

Quantitative palynological analysis of the E2a and E2b goniatite biozones (Arnsbergian, Mississippian) in mudstones from the Southern Pennine Basin (U.K.)

We performed a quantitative palynological analysis of Arnsbergian (Namurian, Late Mississippian) mudstone intervals, potentially prospective for unconventional hydrocarbons. While many palynological studies exist on these stratigraphic intervals in the Widmerpool Gulf and the Edale Basin (sub-basins of the Pennine Basin), very few studies perform full statistical analyses. Using the Carsington Dam Reconstruction C3 (Carsington DRC3, Widmerpool Gulf) and the Karenight-1 (Edale Basin) boreholes, we show that the combination of quantitative palynological data and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) can aid biozonation and additionally, provide paleoecological constraints to the Arnsbergian mudrocks. The studied interval in Carsington DRC3 was assigned to the TK miospore biozone and a hitherto undescribed peak in the fresh water alga Botryococcus was recorded. Using relative abundances of hinterland species, mainly from the genus Florinites, both boreholes could be correlated and a more confident assignment of the TK miospore biozone covering an interval containing goniatite biozone E2b in Karenight-1 was achieved. The techniques used in the current study should be especially valuable for assessing borehole materials where the recovery of macrofossils, like goniatites used as the main biostratigraphic tool in the Namurian, can be very low. Future studies should focus on the same stratigraphic interval from different sub-basins of the Pennine Basin to further assess the applicability of quantitative palynological analysis combined with DCA as a stratigraphic tool for potentially prospective mudstones.

The palynostratigraphy of the Mississippian Birger Johnsonfjellet section, Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Terrestrial palynomorphs from the siliciclastic rocks of the Hørbyebreen and Mumien formations in the Birger Johnsonfjellet area, Spitsbergen are documented, providing new knowledge of the stratigraphical ranges of the recorded taxa. Together with a reassessment of previous palynological work in the light of recent advances in palynology, the definitions of three informal palynological assemblages are established. These are correlated to the Carboniferous miospore biozones of Western Europe but differences in the stratigraphical ranges are recorded, as Spitsbergen is located in a different paleofloristic province. Paucity of palynological data from the Arctic areas, as well as lack of independent age control, hampers exact age assignment of the palynological assemblages described. Two age alternatives of the lower part of the Hoelbreen Member are discussed, with the most plausible age for the studied section being mid to late Visean in age. A more consistent and up-to-date correlation of the Mississippian palynofloras in the Arctic region is provided, demonstrating similarities to other Arctic regions. The new age reassessment also improves knowledge of stratigraphical breaks in the succession, providing better understanding of the tectono-stratigraphical history of the region.

Stratigraphy and palynology of the Pennsylvanian continental Buçaco Basin (NW Iberia)

The Buçaco Basin is a Pennsylvanian continental basin located along an important NNW–SSE strike structure (Porto-Tomar-Ferreira do Alentejo shear zone) that separates the Ossa-Morena and Central Iberian Zones of the Iberian Variscan Fold Belt in central western Portugal. The shear zone controlled the sedimentation in the basin and probably its post-sedimentary evolution. Sedimentation is initially alluvial with characteristic red sandstones, breccias and conglomerates. A gradual change to a fluvial (and probably lacustrine) type of sedimentation is observed with finning-upward cycles of gravel conglomerates, sandstones and organic-rich mudstones with occasional coal seams. Three representative sections were sampled for palynology and seventeen samples yielded sporomorphs with moderate to poor preservation. The palynological content from the alluvial sediments shows low diversity and poorly preserved assemblages dominated by Triquitrites spp., Densosporites spp., Laevigatosporites spp., and other taxa associated with siliciclastic environments or rheophytic mires. The fluvial and lacustrine sediments show a dramatic increase in diversity with an abundant, typical peatland microflora including sporomorphs such as Endosporites spp., Lycospora spp. and Monoletes spp., but also marginal peat and siliciclastic substrate taxa such as Densosporites spp., Latensina/Cordaitina spp., and Florinites spp. Other common taxa are Cheiledonites spp., Crassispora spp., Dictyotriletes-like miospores (mostly fragments), Potonieisporites spp., and Wilsonites spp. The presence and considerable abundance of Potonieisporites novicus and Cheiledonites cf. major is indicative of the middle to upper Potonieisporites novicus-bhardwajii–Cheiledonites major (NBM) miospore biozone of Western Europe, corresponding to the late Stephanian (early Gzhelian).

Palynostratigraphy of the Devonian–Carboniferous transition in the Tulong section in South Tibet: A Hangenberg Event sequence analogue in the Himalaya-Tethys zone

Palynological assemblages from the Tulong succession in South Tibet enabled the recognition of three miospore biozones within the Zhangdong and ‘Yali’ formations. In ascending order, they are the Retispora lepidophyta–Verrucosisporites nitidus (LN) Biozone, the Vallatisporites vallatus–Foveosporites pellucidus (VP) Biozone and the Rugospora polyptycha–Tricidarisporites arcuatus (PA) Biozone. The LN Biozone in the Tulong section can be correlated to the LN Biozone of Western Europe, based on the first and last appearances of many index miospore species. However, Tournaisian palynological assemblages of Western Europe and South Tibet show compositional differences. The VP and PA biozones of South Tibet are correlated tentatively to the VI–HD and BP–TC biozones of Western Europe based on the occurrences of rare miospore index species in both regions. The Zhangdong and ‘Yali’ formations are now dated as Famennian to possibly earliest Visean. This age assessment is supported by rare conodonts and ammonoids recovered from intercalated limestones in the basal part of ‘Yali’ Formation. In the Everest region, the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary is now placed c. 10 m above the lower boundary of the ‘Yali’ Formation, which was originally suggested by Lin and Qiu (1985) to be position of the D–C boundary. Unlike western Gondwana, i.e. Bolivia and Brazil, the Himalaya-Tethys zone at the northeastern margin of Gondwana does not show obvious lithological evidence for glaciations. The new palynostratigraphic data, including information on sea-level changes reflected by variations in palynological composition and lithology around the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary allow, an interregional, approximate correlation with the classical Hangenberg Event sequence in the Rhenish Massif. The analogous Hangenberg Event sequence in South Tibet further supports the hypothesis that the rapid Hangenberg Event regression/transgression was a global eustatic event of significant magnitude. The co-occurrence of probably reworked Frasnian Geminospora lemurata and Archaeoperisaccus spores in the Himalaya-Tethys zone indicates the palaeogeographical proximity of the northern margin of Gondwana to the South China Block in the palaeoequatorial belt.

A new Mississippian biozonal scheme for the Finnmark Platform, Norway – Palynostratigraphic integration of exploration wells 7128/4-1 and 7128/6-1

Abstract A new biozonal scheme for the Mississippian succession in the Finnmark Platform, offshore Norway, is presented. Palynological analysis of exploration wells 7128/4-1 and 7128/6-1 that penetrated the Billefjorden Group, allow integration of all of the Mississippian palynological data from the region, providing better age constraint, and correlation of the sedimentary successions on the Finnmark Platform. Two new biozones and three subzones are described, in ascending stratigraphic order: the Granulatisporites granulatus Biozone (mid to late Visean), consisting of the Potoniespores delicatus Subzone (mid Visean), the Monilospora mutabilis Subzone (late Visean) and the Convolutispora vermiformis Subzone (late Visean), and the Tripartites vetustus Biozone (late Visean). The new biozones are correlated to the Carboniferous miospore biozones of Western Europe based on first and last occurrences of selected taxa.

The palynostratigraphy of the Lower Carboniferous (middle Tournaisian–upper Viséan) Shishtu Formation from the Howz-e-Dorah section, southeast Tabas, central Iranian Basin

Palynological analysis of the Shishtu 2 Member (Shishtu Formation) located in the Howz-e-Dorah area (southeast Tabas, central Iran Basin) suggests a middle Tournaisian–late Viséan age for this rock unit. The Shishtu 2 Member consists of shale, sandstone, dolostone and limestone. Three palynological assemblages are recognised and mainly correlated with the miospore biozones of Northern Gondwana. A microfloristic comparison with other sections in Western Gondwana (South America) is also proposed. We identify a sedimentary hiatus between the Shishtu 1 and Shishtu 2 members. Our findings suggest that the Mush Horizon is the lowermost part of the Shishtu 2 Member, contrary to the Iranian literature where it is considered to be the uppermost part of the Shishtu 1 Member.

New Biostratigraphic Proposal for the Lower Palaeozoic Tucunuco Group (San Juan Precordillera, Argentina) Based on Marine and Terrestrial Palynomorphs

Abstract. This is an exhaustive analysis of the palynomorph assemblages, organic-walled marine phytoplankton and miospores from the Tucunuco Group. This group includes the La Chilca and Los Espejos formations and is exposed in the Central Precordillera of San Juan. Four localities were included in this study, i.e., Rio Jachal, Rio de las Chacritas, Cerro La Chilca and Quebrada Ancha. Previous data concerning several fossil groups, such as graptolites, conodonts and brachiopods, suggest a mainly Llandovery—Wenlock? age for the La Chilca Formation and a Wenlock to locally Lochkovian age for the Los Espejos Formation. Marine palynomorphs are predominant in the two formations in all the studied sections. Although terrestrial palynomorphs are the minor component, trilete spores are abundant, diverse and biostatigraphically relevant in the Los Espejos Formation. Correlations using marine palynomorph assemblages and miospore biozones recognized worldwide allow constraining the age of the two stratigraphic units....

New Discoveries of Diplocraterion and Tidal Rhythmites in the Upper Devonian Rocks of Grab-all Bay, Cork Harbour: Palaeoenvironmental Implications

Geological mapping of the Upper Devonian succession on the northern side of Grab-all Bay in Cork Harbour has led to a new interpretation of the local lithostratigraphy. Rocks previously mapped as the Ballyknock Member of the Gyleen Formation are now reassigned to the Toe Head Sandstone Formation which is here divided into two new members, the Rams Head and Grab-all Bay Members and to the Old Head Sandstone Formation. The axis of the Grab-all Bay Syncline is re-positioned 160m further to the north in Grab-all Bay, revealing a younger and previously undescribed interval of strata here assigned to the Old Head Sandstone Formation. Miospore assemblages recorded from the Toe Head Sandstone and the lower part of the Old Head Sandstone Formation are assigned to the Retispora lepidophyta—Knoxisporites literatus (LL) Miospore Biozone, indicating a late Devonian (Uppermost Famennian) age for the succession. New discoveries of U-shaped burrows, assignable to the trace fossil Diplocraterion, are recorded from several intervals in the Toe Head Sandstone Formation and the lower part of the Old Head Sandstone Formation. These monospecific ichnofaunas are believed to have colonised finely laminated sediments of the intertidal flat environment. In addition, rhythmically laminated sandstone and siltstone beds interpreted as tidal rhythmites are recorded for the first time in the Toe Head Sandstone Formation. The paleoenvironmental significance of the tidal rhythmites and Diplocraterion beds in the Toe Head Sandstone is important in understanding the nature of the fluvial–tidal transition zone in the Cork Harbour region in late Devonian times. It is proposed that in late Devonian (LL Biozone) times the upper Toe Head Sandstone Formation sediments in the Cork Harbour area were deposited in the upper reaches of an estuarine embayment within a low gradient fluvial coastal plain.

The dispersed spore Retusotriletes loboziakii sp. nov., affiliated with the enigmatic Late Devonian alga Protosalvinia Dawson 1884

The miospore Retusotriletes loboziakii sp. nov. is described from rocks containing the problematic algae Protosalvinia spp. from two localities in eastern Kentucky, USA. Both sections are from the Upper Devonian (Famennian) Ohio Shale Formation. Single, dispersed specimens of Retusotriletes loboziakii sp. nov. are morphologically identical to spores within dispersed tetrads. Moreover the dispersed tetrads are identical to in situ tetrads within Protosalvinia thalli, and Retusotriletes loboziakii sp. nov. is therefore considered to be the dispersed miospore of Protosalvinia spp. Other taxa in the dispersed miospore assemblage suggest that the Protosalvinia-bearing samples investigated should be assigned to the Famennian VCo Miospore Biozone.

Palynostratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental significance of the Cretaceous palynomorphs in the Qattara Rim-1X well, North Western Desert, Egypt

Palynological and palynofacies analyses were carried out on some Cretaceous samples from the Qattara Rim-1X borehole, north Western Desert, Egypt. The recorded palynoflora enabled the recognition of two informal miospore biozones arranged from oldest to youngest as Elaterosporites klaszii-Afropollis jardinus Assemblage Zone (mid Albian) and Elaterocolpites castelainii–Afropollis kahramanensis Assemblage Zone (late Albian–mid Cenomanian). A poorly fossiliferous but however, datable interval (late Cenomanian–Turonian to ?Campanian–Maastrichtian) representing the uppermost part of the studied section was also recorded. The palynofacies and visual thermal maturation analyses indicate a mature terrestrially derived organic matter (kerogen III) dominates the sediments of the Kharita and Bahariya formations and thus these two formations comprise potential mature gas source rocks. The sediments of the Abu Roash Formation are mostly dominated by mature amorphous organic matter (kerogen II) and the formation is regarded as a potential mature oil source rock in the well. The palynomorphs and palynofacies analyses suggest deposition of the clastics of the Kharita and Bahariya formations (middle Albian and upper Albian–middle Cenomanian) in a marginal marine setting under dysoxic–anoxic conditions. By contrast, the mixed clastic-carbonate sediments of the Abu Roash Formation (upper Cenomanian–Turonian) and the carbonates of the Khoman Formation (?Campanian–Maastrichtian) were mainly deposited in an inner shallow marine setting under prevailing suboxic–anoxic conditions as a result of the late Cenomanian and the Campanian marine transgressions. This environmental change from marginal to open (inner shelf) basins reflects the vertical change in the type of the organic matter and its corresponding hydrocarbon-prone types. A regional warm and semi-arid climate but with a local humid condition developed near/at the site of the well is thought to have prevailed.

Was the latest Devonian glaciation a multiple event? New palynological evidence from Bolivia

Assemblages of acritarchs, prasinophytes, and miospores were recovered from the uppermost Iquiri and lower portion of the Itacua formations in southeast Bolivia. Analysis of the diverse and somewhat abundant well-preserved palynomorph assemblage indicates a Late Devonian (late Famennian) age for both formations, and further subdivision in ascending stratigraphic order into the ?VCo, LL, LE, and LN miospore biozones of Western Europe. The presence of age-diagnostic miospore taxa from South America and North America indicates contemporaneous glaciation events between these two regions. The results from close sampling of the diamictite facies of the Itacua Formation at the Bermejo West section, Bolivia, correlate the latest Famennian spore inceptions used to define the Euramerica miospore biozone sequence (LL, LE, and LN zones). The Itacua Formation diamictite sequence examined is relatively thin compared to other diamictite sequences in Bolivia. Furthermore, the miospore biozones represent an estimated duration of three million years, whereas orbitally-forced glacial-interglacial events (e.g., Ruddiman, 2001) are of the Milankovitch frequency range of between 20,000 and 400,000 years. Therefore, it seems most likely that a number of glacial/interglacial events are represented, rather than a single glacial episode.

Palynostratigraphy and paleoenvironmental significance of the Cretaceous succession in the Gebel Rissu-1 well, north Western Desert, Egypt

Palynological investigation of the Cretaceous Abu Roash, Bahariya, Kharita, Alamein, Alam El Bueib and Betty formations, encountered in the Gebel Rissu-1 well, north Western Desert, Egypt yielded 27 species of pteridophytic spores, 24 of gymnosperm pollen, 25 of angiosperm pollen and 11 of dinoflagellate cysts in addition to some acritarchs, foraminiferal test linings and freshwater algae. This enabled us to recognize five miospore biozones arranged from youngest to oldest as: Classopollis brasiliensis– Afropollis cf. kahramanensis– Dichastopollenites ghazalataensis Assemblage Zone (Late Cenomanian); Elaterosporites klaszii– Sofrepites legouxae– Afropollis jardinus Assemblage Zone (Middle/Late Albian–Early Cenomanian); Pennipollis peroreticulatus– Duplexisporites generalis-Tricolpates Assemblage Zone (Early Aptian–Early Albian); Tucanopollis crisopolensis– Afropollis sp. Assemblage Zone (Barremian) and Appendicisporites cf. tricornitatus– Ephedripites spp. Assemblage Zone (Late Neocomian). The Early Cretaceous Kharita, Alam El Bueib and the Betty formations encountered in the Gebel Rissu-1 well are interpreted to indicate oxic proximal and distal shelf deposits, characterized by type III/IV, V kerogen, which is gas prone but having little potential to produce hydrocarbons. The Upper Cretaceous Abu Roash and Bahariya formations are characterized by a distal suboxic–anoxic and marginal dysoxic–anoxic environment, and their kerogen type III/II indicates gas/oil prone nature. The Bahariya and Kharita Albian–Cenomanian sediments in the present study witnessed the onset of a semi-arid to arid climate, with local or seasonal humid conditions, based on the continuous high abundance of the elaterates pollen and Afropollis-producing plants that inhabited the paleotropical humid coastal plains.

Synchronous deposition of massive sulphide deposits in the Iberian Pyrite Belt: New data from Las Herrerías and La Torerera ore-bodies

Two small to medium sized massive sulphide deposits, Las Herrerías and La Torerera, located in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) are examined from a geological and palynostratigraphic perspective. The palynological assemblages are assignable to the Retispora lepidophyta–Verrucosisporites nitidus (LN) miospore Biozone (Latest Devonian: Latest Famennian/Strunian) of Western Europe. This age permits correlation with some of the main massive sulphide deposits dated so far in the region (viz., Tharsis, Aznalcóllar, Sotiel-Coronada or Neves-Corvo), and validates once again the hypothesis that a single mineralizing event was responsible for the genesis of most of the IPB’s massive sulphide deposits. The present study confirms that palynostratigraphy is an invaluable high-resolution biostratigraphic tool in the IPB, applicable to dating, correlation and ore-exploration.

Miospore stratigraphy of Lower and early Middle Devonian deposits from Tidikelt, Central Sahara, Algeria

The Tidikelt region forms an outstanding area for subsurface Lower Devonian stratigraphy in the central Algerian Sahara. Sediments from five boreholes have revealed abundant and diverse assemblages of miospores, acritarchs, chitinozoa, scolecodont and microplant remains. The miospores are moderately well preserved. Three new miospore species ( Dibolisporites saharansis nov. sp. Hassan Kermandji, Acinosporites conatus nov. sp. Hassan Kermandji and Scylaspora tidikeltense nov. sp. Hassan Kermandji) are described. Miospore assemblages vary through the regressive and transgressive sequences. Seven miospore assemblage biozones, including six new miospore assemblage biozones ( Scylaspora tidikeltense–Perotrilites microbaculatus, Dictyotriletes emsiensis–Emphanisporites spinaeformis, Apiculiretusispora arenorugosa–Camptozonotriletes caperatus, Verrucosisporites polygonalis–Dictyotriletes subgranifer, Emphanisporites annulatus–Geminospora svalbardiae, Hystricosporites microancyreus–Grandispora protea, Calyptosporites velatus–Rhabdosporites langii) are proposed for the Lower and early Middle Devonian rocks of Tidikelt Plateau. The combined use of distinctive, wide distribution cosmopolitan and Gondwanan forms as biozonal and species characteristics permits accurate subdivision, dating and correlation of Tidikelt successions with other similar miospore zones of the Lower Devonian of Europe, Canada and other parts of Gondwana plate. The miospore data provide new explanations to stratigraphic relationships of regional rock units, sedimentary cycles and stratigraphic hiatus. The miospore biozones are proposed as a provincial biozonation, which may also be applied to other Palaeozoic rocks of similar miospore content.

Palynofacies and spore assemblage variations of upper Viséan (Mississippian) strata across the southern North Sea

Viséan strata are penetrated by exploration wells in the southern North Sea, reaching from the Firth of Forth in Scotland to offshore northwest Germany and to Rügen Island, northeastern Germany, south of the Baltic Sea. Several wells have been studied representing different late Viséan depositional settings ranging from proximal near-shore clastic facies (Firth of Forth, Northwest of Germany) to distal carbonate platform facies (Rügen Island). Variations of the miospore assemblages from the coeval (NM and VF Miospore Biozones) parts of these sections were analyzed with respect to palynofacies, spore abundance; morphological composition; diversity and palaeobotanical/palaeoecological affinities . While assemblages from similar down-depositional dip facies settings remain similar (even over east-west distances of > 750 km), all of the above attributes show significant variations from proximal to distal depositional settings (< 200 km to the southeast). These down-depositional dip changes appear to be continuous, but the greatest degree of change is seen at the boundaries between deltaic and non-deltaic near shore facies; between near-shore coastal clastic and carbonate platform facies; and between inner-and outer-carbonate platform facies. Miospore abundances, assemblage diversities and the number of coincident genera between the sections are reduced in moving towards distal depositional settings. This reduction most effects rounded triangular and triangular miospores, while the proportion of rounded miospores increases significantly. The palaeobotanical/palaeoecological character of the miospores also clearly changes in moving from coastal clastic to carbonate platform depositional settings. These changes appear to be largely controlled by taphonomic effects such as primary input and sorting during transportation and deposition, such that a facies-related pattern is apparent. Variations in late Viséan miospore assemblages across the studied area appear to be most closely related to the different facies realms suggesting that previously identified differences in miospore assemblages from Germany and Britain reflect depositional facies rather than regional variations in parent vegetation or climate.

Silurian–Devonian miospores from the western and central Algeria

The age of Rock Units B1 and B2 of the Middle Silurian–Lower Devonian of Sahara (Algeria) is assessed and confirmed as late Homerian to ?earliest Lochkovian on the basis of moderately well preserved miospore assemblages. The data upon which this age assessment is provided by recent palynological studies in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain), the type Wenlock area, Shropshire (England), south and south-west Wales, the Midland Valley of Scotland and the Ghadames Basin, Libya. Quantitative study shows that cryptospores decrease in number and variety upwards, laevigate miospores are prevalent and the representatives of the rugulate, crassitate genus Scylaspora are dominant. The occurrence and range of these species as well as other miospore taxa recorded during this study provide the basis for recognizing three miospore assemblage and one interval biozones, namely Scylaspora vetusta– Scylaspora kozlica, Chelinospora sanpetrensis– Cymbosporites triangulatus, Chelinospora hemiesferica and Scylaspopra radiata– Apiculiretusispora synoria. Of these biozones, two assemblage biozones are proposed as new. Core samples of Rock Unit B1 from borehole NGS-1 of the Triassic Province contain the oldest two miospore assemblage biozones. Rock Unit B2 from the boreholes GMD-2, ISS-1 (Tidikelt Plateau) and NGS-1 (Triassic Province) comprise the youngest two miospore biozones. The assemblage and interval biozones allow inter-regional correlation with latest Middle Silurian to probably earliest Devonian strata. The inadequacy of coverage of core samples result in the absence of critical palynological evidence, to determine the exact position of the base of the Ludlow, Pridoli and Lochkovian. Comparison with the zonal and sub-zonal divisions of Mid-Palaeozoic sequences from other parts of the world shows crucial differences in the distribution of the spore flora within Gondwanan and Euramerican regions during Pridoli and early Lochkovian. Six new miospore species namely Retusotriletes delicatus nov. sp., Scylaspora cymba nov. sp., S. distincta nov. sp., S. radiata nov. sp., S. undulata nov. sp. and Cymbosporites triangulatus nov. sp. are described. Three more possibly new miospore forms are described and illustrated but not specifically named.