Palynofloral Assemblage Research Articles

Palynology and palynofacies analysis of the Subathu Formation (Early Ypresian-Middle Lutetian) of Morni Hills, Haryana, India

Palynofossils and sedimentary organic matter recovered from two well exposed stratigraphic sections of the Subathu Formation (early Ypresian to middle Lutetian) outcropping in the Morni Hills, Haryana (Lesser Himalayas) are evaluated to interpret the depositional environment. The Morni Hills’ palynofloral assemblage consists of dinocysts, spores, pollen grains, fungal spores and ascostromata, and freshwater algae. Among these the significant palynotaxa are Pediastrum diffusus, P. angulatus Achomosphaera ramulifera, Adnatosphaeridium multispinosum, A. vittatum, Areoligera senonensis, Cleistosphaeridium diversispinosum, Cordosphaeridium fibrospinosum, C. gracile, Glaphyrocysta exuberans, Homotryblium abbreviatum, H. pallidum, H. tenuispinosum, Hystrichokolpoma salacium, Hystrichosphaerdium tubiferum, Lingulodinium machaerophorum, Operculodinium centrocarpum, Thalassiphora pelagica, Lygodiumsporites lakiensis, Todisporites major, Pteridacidites sp., Podocarpidites couperi and Neocouperipollis brevispinosus, etc. Five assemblage zones along with one barren zone are recognized on the basis of restricted species and variable abundance data of the examined palynofossils. Dinoflagellate cyst associations show a remarkable change from the older to younger horizons in the present succession. Variation in the composition of the assemblages from lower to upper horizons of the present succession might have been governed by several factors, viz. change in salinity concentration, decrease in water depth, and increase in proximity to the shoreline. Different types of organic matter types were also characterized, whose relative proportions in a vertical succession in both the sections, show changing depositional environmental gradients in this area. The study indicates that the basal carbonaceous shales seem to have been deposited in a freshwater swamp environment. Later, an open lagoon followed by closed lagoon and tidal flat environments are interpreted during the progradational sequence of the regressive phase.

Dinoflagellate cysts from the Shillong Plateau, Meghalaya (India): Palynological signature during the late Palaeocene–early Eocene Transition

AbstractThe paper presents a new section of the late Palaeocene‐early Eocene, palynological assemblages and stable carbon isotopes from the Lakadong sandstone member of the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya (India). The Palaeocene‐Eocene transition (PET) is marked by stratigraphic markers of dinoflagellate cysts (taxa of Apectodinium augustum, now Axiodinium augustum) and negative carbon isotope excursion. The palynofloral assemblage indicates the sequence represents warm, humid tropical to subtropical conditions with heavy rainfall. The depositional environment of the Lakadong Sandstone Member is interpreted to be neritic. The new insights of this study in this section suggest the PET with the occurrence of Apectodinium acme consisting of A. augustum at CS5‐15a.

Palaeodepositional environment, implications of Glossopteris flora, and organic matter characteristics from the Lower Permian, Karo Open Cast Mine, East Bokaro Coalfield, Damodar Basin, India

The present study deals with the Early Permian floral diversity, palaeoenvironment, palaeoclimate and depositional setting using a multiproxy approach that includes morphotaxonomy, palynology, and organic geochemistry of Karo OCM (Open Cast Mine), East Bokaro Coalfield, Damodar Gondwana Basin, India. The Permian sediments of Peninsular India are widely regarded as fluvial, along with some marine incursions. The macroplant fossil assemblage exhibits the presence of Glossopteridales, comprising Glossopteris, Gangamopteris, and Vertebraria, as well as Coniferales, which includes Noeggerathiopsis. The palynological assemblage encompasses the dominance of the striate bisaccate pollen Faunipollenites sp. and the sub-dominance of the non-striate bisaccate pollen Scheuringipollenites sp. with glossopterid affinities. The megafloral and palynofloral assemblage confirms the biostratigraphical age to be Late Barakar palynoflora of Kungurian affinity. The studied morphological characteristics, including small to large Glossopteris leaves exhibiting a lanceolate shape, acute apices, and acute cuneate or tapering bases, as well as entire margins with narrower lamina and narrow meshes, suggest the existence of a dense forest with the prevalence of a warm and humid climate during their deposition. The organic geochemical characterization based on functional group and biomarker analyses reveals the diagenetic effects on organic matter. Aliphatic symmetric (∼2865–2855 cm-1) and asymmetric stretching (∼2930–2910 cm-1) peaks are identifiable in coal samples, whereas they are absent in carbonaceous shale. The A-factor vs. C-factor plot suggests that the kerogen type is type III, which can generate mainly gaseous kerogen. The vitrinite reflectance studies (Rr av. 1.1%) show increased maturity of the samples, which is supported by the n-alkane distribution pattern and the absence of hopane terpenoids. The Indian floral assemblages in contemporary of southern Gondwana continents reveal a stronger inclination/affinity with the flora of Africa than that of South America, thereby supporting the age to be of Artinskian–Kungurian.

Palynology of the Upper Gondwana deposits from the Chintalapudi Sub-basin, South India: Insights into age and palaeodepositional settings

Palynological data were analyzed to determine the age and depositional settings of the Jangareddygudem area in Godavari Graben, South India. The abundance of coniferous pollen grains (Araucariacites spp., Podocarpidites spp., and Callialasporites spp.) as well as pteridophytic and bryophytic trilete spore characterizes the palynofloral assemblage. The First Occurrences (FOs) of biostratigraphically significant palynomorphs taxa have been identified, which allowed us to assign the studied stratigraphic sequence to the upper Aptian–lower Albian. Recovered palynoassemblages are compared with other contemporaneous assemblages from different Gondwana continents. Palynofacies research supports hetero-lithic shelf (proximal shelf) rock formation with gradual and continuous sediment input under dysoxic to anoxic conditions. The recovered palynomorphs consistently suggest cool and humid climates during rock deposition, favoring the formation and development of a dense canopy of luxurious coniferous forests near the coast.

Palynomorph Biostratigraphy of VIC 97 Well, Nothern Depo Belt, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Palynological and sedimentological studies were conducted on sixty ditch cutting rock samples from interval 460 to 4550 feets of VIC-97 well, located at OML 38, Northern Depo-belt, Niger-Delta, to delineate lithofacies units and the age of the rock succession. Standard methods of palynological sample analysis were used to disaggregate the palynomorphs from the rock matrix. Log signatures, sand/shale ratios, textural attributes, and accessory mineal compositions of ditch cutting rock samples were used as lithologic parameters to establish two lithofacies units; the transitional unit having a sand/shale ratio of 80:20 and the continental Unit having a 98:2 ratio ascribed to upper Agbada and Benin formation respectively. Palynological analysis revealed that the retrieved palynomorphs were numerous and reasonably diversified, particularly in the lower portion of the sample interval. Palynological zonation was based on the palynofloral assemblage of important species and their stratigraphic distribution. Thirteen informal biozones were recognised on the basis of their first and last downhole occurences and compared with P 560, P580 and P624 to delineate an early to late Oligocene age for the studied interval.

Palaeofloristics of Lower Gondwana exposure in Hingula area, Talcher Basin, Odisha, India: an inclusive study on biomarkers, megafloral and palynofloral assemblages

ABSTRACT This paper deals with an integrated work on the study of megafossils, palynoflora, and biomarkers in the Hingula Opencast Coal Project, Talcher Basin, Odisha, India. The macrofloral assemblage recovered from the lower grey shale bed of the investigated outcrop comprises Schizoneura gondwanensis, equisetaceous stem (Equisetales), Neomariopteris hughesii (Filicales), 19 species of Glossopteris, Vertebraria indica and stem cast (Glossopteridales). The megafloral assemblage and lithology (fine to medium-grained feldspathic grey shale) of the litho-column strongly suggest that the sediments belong to the Barakar Formation of late Early Permian (Artinskian-Kungurian) age. The palynofloral assemblage identified from the upper carbonaceous shale bed of the same outcrop is characterised by the dominance of Striatopodocarpites spp. and sub-dominance of Faunipollenites spp. Stratigraphically significant taxa of this palynoassemblage show its affinity towards the Late Permian (Wordian-Capitanian) age. The first-ever biomarker study of Talcher Basin has been undertaken as a part of the present investigation, which reveals the occurrence of short to long-chain hydrocarbons, indicating the presence of aquatic, microbial, and higher plant input. The predominance of n-C25 in most of the samples indicates moderate-to-high water levels. Similarly, the prevalence of pristane over phytane depicts suboxic to oxic basin conditions during deposition.

Paleofloristic and paleoenvironmental implications of a Late Jurassic palynoflora from the Tochikubo Formation, North-East Japan

The first Jurassic palynofloral assemblage from Japan is reported from the Oxfordian Tochikubo Formation of the Soma-Nakamura Group, Fukushima Prefecture. Palynomorphs are quite diversified, with 32 genera and 41 species of lycopod and fern spores, gymnosperm pollen and freshwater algae. The composition of the assemblage is consistent with the Oxfordian age of this nonmarine formation and confirms a fluvio-lacustrine paleoenvironment, further detailing the paleovegetation reconstructed from macrofloral remains. Previous palynofloral reports of eastern Asia are reviewed and indicate that northeast Japan shares most similarities with coeval paleofloras of southeastern Russia. Consequences for paleofloristic provincialism and climates of the region during the Late Jurassic are discussed.

Palynomorphs and Age Characterization of Rock Succession in Well X-1, OML 108, Offshore Niger Delta Nigeria

Palynological studies in Nigeria are mainly confined to the Tertiary Niger Delta, where several studies have been carried out for the discovery of natural oil and gas in this particular basin during late 1950s. The accuracy and profitability of the exploration process can be enhanced by the micropaleontological monitoring through the palynological analysis of ditch cuttings for age determination. Fifty ditch cutting samples from intervals 8040 ft and 11010 ft of Well X-1, OML 108, Ukpokiti field, offshore Niger Delta Nigeria were analyzed for their palynofloral content, in a view to establish the biozonation framework for the purpose of age characterization of the rock succession. Palynological sample processing and analysis followed standard methods of treatments with different concentrations of Hydrochloric acid, Hydrofluoric acid and organic acid for digestion of carbonates, removal of silicates and washing or centrifuging for concentration of the palynomorphs respectively in order to liberate the palynomorphs from the extraneous organic matter in the rock matrix. The palynofloral analysis yielded a total number of forty-three (43) pollen, seven (7) spores and one dinoflagellate cyst, from which four subzones based on palynofloral assemblage of marker species, their stratigraphic tops and base including their abundance and diversity were recognized. The zones are from youngest to oldest: Stereisporites sp, Racemonocolpiteshians, Verrutricolporitesrotundiporus and Retibrevitricolporitesobodoensis/protundens zones corresponding with pollen sub zones:P850-830, P820, P780 and P770respectively, indicatingLate Miocene to Middle Miocene age.
 In conclusion, the palyno – zones of this study compare well with the pollen zones of [3], therefore shows that the rock succession was deposited during the Middle to Late Miocene epoch.

Palaeoecological significance of a palynofloral assemblage from Surma Group (Late Miocene) of Tamenglong area, Manipur, northeast India

A Late Miocene palynofloral assemblage is recorded for the first time from the sediments of Surma Group exposed at Tamenglong area of Manipur. The assemblage mainly consists of fungal spores and Microthyriaceous ascostromata, algal remains, pteridophytic spores, gymnospermous and angiospermous pollen. The quantitative analysis indicates the dominance of bisaccate gymnosperm pollen (61%) mainly represented by Podocarpidites and Pinuspollenites, followed by pteridophytic spores (23%), algal and fungal remains (11%) and angiosperm pollen grains (5%). Abundance of Hammenisporis spp., fungal conidia and ascostromata along with Zygnemataceous zygospores in the assemblage indicates a warm, humid climate and freshwater depositional environment for the Surma sediments in the present area of investigation. Recorded palynofloral assemblage with the characteristic fungal Microthyriaceous ascostromata suggests a pro-delta to shoreface depositional environment. Representatives of families Parkeriaceae, Cyatheaceae, Gleicheniaceae, Hymenophyllaceae, Podocarpaceae, Araceae and Malvaceae indicate the prevalence of tropical–subtropical climate. The Tamenglong palynofloral assemblage has been compared with some other assemblages known from the Mio-Pliocene sediments of India. The occurrences of abundant Pinuspollenites, Tsugaepollenites, Hibisceaepollenites and Parmathyrites in the present assemblage suggest a Late Miocene age.

Characterization of Panandhro Lignite Deposits (Kachchh Basin), western India: Results from the Bulk Geochemical and Palynofloral Compositions

ABSTRACT Characterization of the Panandhro lignite deposits from western Indian state of Gujarat, based on the geochemical and palynological evidences, has been performed to assess the floral composition, maturity and hydrocarbon potential of the sequence. Elementally, the lignites consist of moderate carbon, low hydrogen and moderate sulfur contents. The samples are characterized by high TOC contents (lignite: av. 46.43 wt.%, resin: 62.47 wt.%). The average HI values for the lignite is 136 mg HC/g TOC, and that of the associated resin is 671 mg HC/g TOC. The highest Tmax is recoded in lignite (422°C) and lowest in the resin (39°C) samples. The FTIR spectrum of lignite is characterized by highly intense OH stretching peak ∼3350 cm–1, aliphatic CHx stretching peaks between 3000-2800 cm–1, aromatic C=O stretching and an aromatic C=C stretching. The spectrum of resin shows strongest absorption due to aliphatic CHx stretching between 2940-2915 cm–1 and 2870-2850 cm–1, and deformation by the medium peak between 1450 and 1650 cm–1. The recovered palynofloral assemblage indicates the dominance of angiosperm pollen grains with maximum abundance of Arecaceae family, and subdominant pteridophytic spores. Marine influence is indicated by the presence of abundant dinoflagellate cysts. The occurrence of flora from a variety of ecological niches suggests a luxuriant diverse vegetation pattern existed in the vicinity of depositional site under humid tropical conditions. The overall characteristics of the lignite deposits point towards their ability to generate (upon maturation) hydrocarbons as they have types III–II admixed kerogen (organic matters).

Palynology and detrital zircon geochronology of the Carboniferous Fenestella Shale Formation of the Tethyan realm in Kashmir Himalaya: Implications for global correlation and floristic evolution

First palynological data, supplemented by detrital zircon U–Pb ages, from the Fenestella Shale Formation near the Gund Village in the Banihal area of Jammu and Kashmir State, India, provide new insights into the floristic evolution of Gondwana during the Late Palaeozoic, especially in India, from where the Carboniferous–Permian macro- and microfloral records are impoverished. We also present a first approach to the palynological correlation of the Carboniferous–Permian palynoassemblages described from the various Gondwana countries. The palynomorphs from the Fenestella Shale Formation are fairly well preserved and diversified and include 11 genera and 18 species. While the trilete spores and striate bisaccate pollen grains are scarce, monosaccate pollen taxa mainly – Parasaccites, Plicatipollenites and Potonieisporites are dominant. The assemblage is most similar to the Parasaccites korbaensis palynozone of the Lower Gondwana basins of the Indian peninsula and the Stage 2 palynozone of the late Carboniferous of east Australia. Besides, it is comparable with the known Carboniferous assemblages of Pakistan, Yemen and South America; Carboniferous-early Permian assemblages of South Africa and Permian assemblages of Antarctica. The sediment source of the siliciclastic shelf and delta deposits intercalated in the Fenestella Shale Formation is a hinterland in which Precambrian rocks dominantly were exposed and the Th–U ratios of detrital zircons suggest, that most rocks exposed on the erosion level in the hinterland had a felsic composition. The youngest U–Pb zircon age of the investigated fossiliferous strata is 329±16Ma (late Visean to early Serpukhovian), providing a maximum age of deposition of the studied succession. Based on the affinities of the palynofloral assemblage and earlier palaeontological records, a warm, temperate and arid climate has been inferred for the Fenestella Shale Formation.

Paleoenvironment of Eocene lignite bearing succession from Bikaner-Nagaur Basin, western India: Organic petrography, palynology, palynofacies and geochemistry

Lignite and associated shale samples from the Matasukh mine of western India have been studied by petrographic, palynofacies, palynological and organic geochemical parameters. The objective is to understand the floral (organic) composition, and palaeo depositional conditions (ecology and climate) of the lignite-bearing sequence. Petrographically, the low rank B lignites are dominantly composed of huminite macerals, followed by moderate liptinite and low inertinite macerals. The predominance of detrohuminite (attrinite+densinite) with respect to telohuminite (textinite+ulminite) suggests that the woody vegetation has undergone higher degree of degradation during the peat accumulation, as is also indicated by the frequent occurrence of funginite. The TPI, GI, GWI and VI indices point towards limno-telmatic condition of the palaeomire during the deposition of lignite-forming peat under mesotrophic to rheotrophic basin conditions. The reducing conditions in the depositional site are evident from the frequent pyrite content. The studied samples had a high organic matter yield, which showed a co-dominance of phytoclasts and AOM. This nexus is indicative of a marginal marine depositional environment, also evident from Tyson's APP diagram. The palynofloral assemblage is dominated by angiosperm pollen, especially those having affinity with the family Arecaceae. The presence of palynomorphs of the family Dipterocarpaceae indicates the existence of rain-forest vegetation in the vicinity of the depositional site. The degradation products of oleanane and 23-norlupane in the sediment extracts also suggest that the angiosperm dominant higher plants served as the source for the peat-forming biomass. The presence of hopanes indicates high microbial activity during the formation of lignites. The high CPI and TAR values also indicate the large input of terrigenous higher plant materials.

Taphonomic and palaeovegetational studies in lower Permian (Asselian-Sakmarian) deposits of Chintalapudi Area, Godavari Graben, South India

Palynomorphs from lower Permian (Asselian-Sakmarian) deposits from Chintalapudi area of Godavari Graben were used to infer palaeovegetation and palaeoenvironments through palynofacies reconstruction and taphonomic studies. The recovered palynofloral assemblage is dominated by Cordaites with subordinate conifers and glossopterids forming the floral canopy. Fillicopsids, equisetopsids, lycopsids and algae characterized an understorey flora growing in ice-free swampy areas. Taphonomic studies were based on the classifications of both Cushing and a modified version of Jäger, which incorporated data from both pollen and spores. Pollen are a key component of the studied assemblage and they have been categorized on the basis of saccus morphology. Other parameters like lithology, palynomorph diversity and abundance, have also been taken into consideration to better understand the impact of sedimentary facies on palynomorph assemblages. The study suggests that the palynoflora was deposited in two different sedimentological environments: Facies-I was deposited under a sub-oxic environment in a slowly sinking basin, while, the deposition of Facies-II took place under anoxic, water-logged environmental conditions.

Syndesmorion stellatum (Fijałkowska) Foster et Afonin chlorophycean algae and associated microphytoplankton from lacustrine successions of the La Veteada Formation (late Permian), Paganzo Basin, Argentina. Paleoenvironmental interpretations and stratigraphic implications

A diverse microphytoplankton assemblage recovered from terrestrial deposits of the La Veteada Formation, north of the La Rioja Province, Paganzo Basin, Argentina, is described and illustrated. The ~180m thick sedimentary type section of the unit in the Los Colorados anticline is composed of a basal gray silcrete covered by gypsum beds and a thick succession of purple mudstones inter-layered with varicolored fine sandstone sheets and laminated yellowish dolomites. The aquatic assemblage is mainly characterized by a great variety of Syndesmorion stellatum (Fijałkowska) Foster et Afonin coenobia, recorded for the first time in the late Permian Gondwanic realm. All the previous morphotypes described for this chlorophycean alga are recognized in this assemblage, and new polymorph-coenobia are described and illustrated. The diversity of coenobia morphotypes of this alga is likely to reflect response to stress conditions. The genera Maculatasporites and Mehlisphaeridium are commonly present, and their algal origin is discussed. Maculatasporites gondwanensis, Maculatasporites amplus, Mehlisphaeridium parvum, and Mehlisphaeridium regulare and Mehlisphaeridium sp. are also described and illustrated. Representatives of the zygnematacean algae, Brazilea scissa, Brazilea plurigenus, Brazilea sp. A, Tetraporina tetragona, ?Lecaniella sp., as well as large clusters of sphaeromorphs incertae sedis chlorophyta algae, are described. In addition, planar colonial chlorococcalean Pediastrum-like forms suggesting hydrodictyaceaen algae are recorded for the first time in late Paleozoic strata of Argentina, and the zygnematalean affinity of Reduviasporonites chalastus as green algae is discussed. The highly diverse La Veteada microphytoplanktonic assemblage is composed by algae that grew in hypersaline lacustrine environment together with species commonly associated with either fresh or brackish water conditions; presumably these taxa were washed in after heavy rainfall and/or flooding events. In general terms, the land-derived palynological composition of the La Veteada assemblage at Central Famatina Range reflects parent vegetation adapted to arid or semi-arid climate as reported from late Guadalupian to late Lopingian in the Paganzo Basin. The whole palynological composition suggests a Lopingian age for the La Veteada Formation at its stratotype, based on the stratigraphic range of all the land-derived miospore species recognized, resulting younger than assemblages assigned to the Lueckisporites–Weylandites Biozone (LW: Wordian–Capitanian). Therefore, it is the youngest Permian palynofloral assemblage recorded up to now in Argentina and South America.

Palynology: A useful tool in understanding palaeoclimatic changes through the Pliocene-Pleistocene from the deep offshore Niger Delta, Nigeria

Recent global ecological problems have necessitated more research into past environments so that accurate comparisons between past and present climatic conditions can be established and projections made for the future. In order to achieve this, palynological data from Well-C from the deep offshore (>200m) Niger Delta region were employed in an attempt to reconstruct the Late Pliocene-Pleistocene palaeoclimate. Four informal palynofloral assemblage zones (PAZ) I–IV are defined and correlated with four major cycles of alternating dry and wet climatic conditions. Within the major cycles, savanna and montane pollen assemblages became dominant in the late-Pliocene and mid-Pleistocene, while mangroves, brackishwater swamp, freshwater swamp and lowland rainforest prevailed during the early- and late-Pleistocene. The palaeoclimate of the late Pliocene and mid-Pleistocene was relatively colder and drier, with alternating relatively warmer and wetter conditions in the early and late Pleistocene, respectively. The pollen data from Well-C showed periods of climatic change during Late Pliocene-Pleistocene times, while the periods of climatic change revealed by pollen data from Lake Tilla, NE Nigeria, during Holocene times ranged from ∼2.0 to ∼3.8Ka. Therefore, the cyclicity of climate change during Upper Pliocene-Pleistocene time is far greater than that of Holocene times. Our palaeo-climatic reconstruction conflicts with those that indicate predominantly dry climatic conditions in the Niger Delta region during the Pliocene-Pleistocene. The reconstructed palaeoclimate in this study can help to compare the past climatic conditions to that of the present and perhaps serve as a basis for studies of future climatic change.

Mississippian palynoflora from the northern Perth Basin, Western Australia: systematics and stratigraphical and palaeogeographical significance

Core material from an exploratory diamond drillhole (DDH CL5) in the Irwin Terrace, northern Perth Basin, Western Australia, contains a profuse and well-preserved palynofloral assemblage composed almost exclusively of trilete miospores. These comprise at least 32 species, distributed among 23 genera. Two species – Retusotriletes separatus sp. nov. and Apiculiretusispora tersa sp. nov. – are new, and Velamisporites cortaderensis (Césari & Limarino, 1987) is proposed as a new binomial combination. The palynoflora essentially replicates compositionally the Grandispora maculosa Assemblage, first described in 1968 from New South Wales (Italia Road Formation of the Southern New England Orogen) with revised dating of late Visean. Particularly noteworthy in both local and regional biostratigraphical contexts is the combined presence of G. maculosa, Reticulatisporites magnidictyus, Cordylosporites asperidictyus, Foveosporites pellucidus, Indotriradites kuttungensis, I. daemonii, Verrucosisporites aspratilis, V. gregatus, V. quasigobbettii, Raistrickia accinta, R. radiosa, Diatomozonotriletes daedalus and Psomospora detecta. Of these, V. quasigobbettii and I. kuttungensis are predominant. Additionally, the assemblage contains some trilete species reported subsequently (in 1992) from a slightly younger (Pennsylvanian) succession of the Galilee Basin, southern Queensland; e.g. Cyclogranisporites firmus, Verrucosisporites basiliscutis, Dibolisporites disfacies, Diatomozonotriletes birkheadensis, Densoisporites truswelliae (syn. Densoisporites sp. of Jones & Truswell), Grandispora (Spelaeotriletes) queenslandensis and Velamisporites cortaderensis (syn., inter alia, Reticulatisporites bifrons Jones & Truswell). Significantly, however, the CL5 palynoflora is devoid of gymnospermous prepollen (indeed any pollen grains) that have been documented from the Galillee Basin deposits. Many components of the G. maculosa suite have been reported from elsewhere in Gondwana, particularly Brazil and Argentina, attesting to its stratigraphical significance across the supercontinent, and to the widespread dispersal of its pteridophytic parental flora in a relatively narrow time interval, bracketed within the late Visean through early Serpukhovian. The present assemblage, and indeed its representatives elsewhere in Gondwana, was likely deposited in non-marine, fluvial or lacustrine, interglacial environments that preceded the extensive icehouse conditions that prevailed during much of the Pennsylvanian.

Palynofloral Evidence for PaPalynofloral Evidence for Palaeoecology and Depositional Environment of the Kopili Formation (Late Eocene), Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya

Abstract A rich and diversified palynofloral assemblage has been recovered from the Kopili Formation exposed at 136 km post on Jowai-Badarpur Road, Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, India. Besides the gymnospermous and angiospermous pollen and pteridophytic spores, the palynofloral assemblage also contains dinoflagellate cysts, fungal remains, bryophytic spores and reworked Gondwana palynofossils in good amount. Based on the distribution and habitat of the extant counterparts of recovered palynofossils, eight plant complexes have been recognized. Most families represented in the assemblage are presently distributed in the tropical to sub-tropical regions indicating almost similar climatic conditions during the deposition of Kopili sediments. The palynofloral assemblage indicates coastal to marine depositional environment with minor oscillations of sea, having fresh water connections with swamps and ponding conditions nearby.

Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of Livingston Island, Antarctic Peninsula, in the Early Cretaceous: interpretations from the Walker Bay erratics

Chen, K., Stilwell, J.D. & Mays, C., 12.3.2015. Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of Livingston Island, Antarctic Peninsula in the Early Cretaceous: interpretations from the Walker Bay erratics. Alcheringa 39, 000–000. ISSN 0311-551Fossiliferous, volcaniclastic sandstone erratics, containing abundant plant fragments, palynomorphs and a possible insect wing, were extracted from the previously unstudied Walker Bay moraine, Livingston Island (ca 62°36ʹS, 60°42ʹW). These samples provide new insights into high southern latitude ecosystems of the South Shetland Islands region during the Early Cretaceous greenhouse interval. The palynofloral assemblage, in particular the co-occurrence of Ischyosporites punctatus, Concavissimisporites penolaensis and Reticulatisporites pudens, suggests that deposition could have occurred between the early Aptian and mid-Albian (ca 125–109 Ma), but was most likely early to mid-Albian (ca 112–109 Ma). The high relative abundance of the pteridophyte taxon, Cyathidites and associated fungal disaster taxa, together with significant quantities of volcaniclastic material, indicates a volcanically perturbed post-eruption riparian environment. Petrologic evidence suggests that the volcanic sediments were deposited rapidly in the above-mentioned fluvial setting. Comparisons to geological studies conducted on Livingston Island reveal an affinity of the Walker Bay erratics to the Byers Group; the unique palynofloral assemblage and petrological features of the erratics suggesting that the volcanogenic lithic sandstone facies may represent a previously undescribed unit of the upper Cerro Negro Formation.Kevin Chen [kevin.chen@monash.edu], Jeffrey D. Stilwell* [jeffrey.stilwell@monash.edu] & Chris Mays [chris.mays@monash.edu], School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Vic 3800, Australia. *Also affiliated with Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.

Palynological Investigation of Neogene (Early Miocene) Sediments of Mangalore Basin, India: Palaeoenvironmental and Palaeoclimatic Implications

Abstract A rich palynological assemblage consisting of algal remains (5 genera and 7 species, including dinoflagellate cysts), fungal spores (2 genera and 3 species), pteridophytic spores (5 genera and 8 species), gymnospermous pollen grains (3 genera and 3 species) and angiospermous pollen grains (17 genera and 22 species) has been recorded for the first time from the Miocene sediments exposed along Kullur-Kavur road, near Mangalore along the west coast of Karnataka. Among the important genera are: Achomosphaera, Leptodinium, Staphlosporonites, Hammenisporis, Polypodiaceaesporites, Quilonipollenites, Myricipites, Graminidites, Malvacearumpollis, Palaeomalvaceaepollis and Chenopodipollis. Qualitative and quantitative analyses reveal that the angiosperm pollen grains are dominant over pteridophytic spores and an overall, a warm and humid tropical-sub-tropical coastal climate with heavy precipitation is suggested for the site of deposition. The sediments were deposited in fluctuating conditions ranging from lacustrine to marine environments with fresh water swamps and ponds nearby. The occurrence of Hammenisporis, Polypodiaceaesporites, Quilonipollenites, Myricipites, Graminidites, Malvacearumpollis, Palaeomalvaceaepollis and Chenopodipollis in the present assemblage suggests an early Miocene age. A comparison of the present palynofloral assemblage with those known from the Indian Tertiary sediments shows its close resemblances with the Miocene palynoflora recovered from Quilon and Warkalli beds of Kerala basin.

First record of palynofossils from the Fulra Limestone Formation (Middle Eocene) of Kachchh basin, Gujarat and their palaeoenvironmental implications

The present paper deals with the first record of a palynofloral assemblage recovered from the Fulra Limestone Formation exposed at the confluence of Fulra and Panandhro Nalas in the west of Babia hill, Kachchh basin, Gujarat. The recovered palynoflora consists of dinoflagellate cysts, fungal spores and ascostromata, pteridophyte spores, gymnosperm and angiosperm pollen. Some of the important constituents of the palynofloral assemblage are: Lygodiumsporites, Polypodiaceasporites, Polypodiisporites, Margocolporites, Tricolporopilites, Tricolporopollis, Graminidites, Aplanosporites, Phragmothyrites, Spiniferites, Operculodinium and Achomosphaera. Palynological data suggest that the Fulra Limestone Formation was mostly laid down in a shallow marine environment under a warm and humid tropical climate. Abundance of terrestrial palynofossils in some of the samples clearly points towards the relative proximity of the shore. A late middle Eocene age has been assigned for the Fulra Limestone Formation on the basis of recorded palynofossils.