Palynological Investigations Research Articles

Three new organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts from the Upper Cretaceous deposits in the western External Rif, northwestern Morocco: Taxonomy and stratigraphic distribution

Three new species of organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts) have been spotted during our palynological investigations in the Upper Cretaceous deposits from the western External Rif Chain, northwestern Morocco. They have been previously mentioned and figured under different names, but have not been formally described. In this paper, the formal descriptions of these new species are presented, based on several specimens observed within rich, diverse and well-preserved upper Campanian dinocyst assemblages from the Sekada, Tattofte and Bou Lila sections. Canningia wilsonii sp. nov. is a holocavate cyst, characterized by having densely packed pillars, supporting a finely reticulate ectophragm on the mid-dorsal surface to coarsely reticulate elsewhere, mainly in the periphery. Impagidinium sekadensis sp. nov. is distinguished by the combination of a smooth central body wall, rigid and well-developed sutural septa, narrow longitudinal apical plates (1′, 4′) which are rarely separated (partially) by a discontinuous sutural septum, a strongly leavorotatore cingulum and a narrow sulcus with a differentiated posterior sulcal (ps) plate. Nematosphaeropsis lilaensis sp. nov. differs from the published species of Nematosphaeropsis by having a smooth central body wall and numerous sutural (gonal and intergonal) processes that are flexible, hollow and joined proximally by low and discontinuous sutural ridges and distally by pairs of thin penitabular trabeculae. The taxonomic synonyms and stratigraphic ranges of the new species, as well as their comparison with published dinoflagellate taxa, which morphologically resemble them, are given and discussed.

Depositional dynamics of the Devonian rocks and their influence on the distribution patterns of liptinite in the Sifa-1X well, Western Desert, Egypt: Implications for hydrocarbon generation

Samples from the Devonian succession in the Sifa-1X well located mid-way between the Egyptian Faghur Basin and the Libyan Cyrenaica Platform were examined in this study. The distribution of liptinite group macerals was investigated under reflected and transmitted light microscopy. Diverse and abundant liptinites of terrigenous and marine origin were identified. The palynological investigations included analysis of the miospores assemblages and palynofacies categories by multiple statistical approaches in addition to calculation of the sedimentation rates. These analyses signified four miospores biotopes and three palynofacies biotopes that were used to assess the ramps of paleoclimatological and paleoenvironmental changes during sedimentation. These biotopes were used to define a model of liptinite maceral distribution throughout the Devonian in the study area. The model suggested two different phases of basinal dynamics in terms of climate, sea level, and sedimentation rates, namely an Early-Middle Devonian transgressive phase and a Late Devonian regressive phase. Conditions during the Early-Middle Devonian transgressive phase were oxic to dysoxic with low sedimentation rates and oxic during the Late Devonian regressive phase. Oxygen depletion was under the threshold required to induce significant preservation of the quantity and quality of organic matter, including liptinite macerals. The redox conditions were confirmed by trace element analysis. The high oxygen level affected both the quantity and quality of the liptinite macerals and greatly reduced the preservation of the amorphous organic matter. The quality of the organic matter varied from kerogen type I, II, mixed types II/III and type III. The mixture of these kerogen types was assessed by organic elemental and pyrolysis gas chromatography analyses. In addition, the entire Devonian succession in the Sifa-1X well is in the oil window, as also indicated by miospore coloration. This indicates that the organic matter in the Devonian strata have the potential to generate oil and gas.

Palynological investigation of a later Bronze Age copper mine at Derrycarhoon in south-west Ireland

This paper presents the results of a recent palynological analysis at a prehistoric mine in the Mizen Peninsula of West Cork. Archaeological survey and excavation confirm Derrycarhoon is the first copper mine in Ireland dated to the later Bronze Age, c. 1400–1000 BC. The production there represents the end of a mining tradition in the south-west region that began a millennium or so earlier at Ross Island, Co. Kerry. The palynological study at Derrycarhoon examines the contemporary environment of the early mine, to understand its effect on local vegetation during the later second millennium BC. This environmental impact was reduced by the small scale of ore extraction over several centuries, and by a mining technology that did not significantly impact local woodland at a location where contamination from surface ore-processing was both short-lived and localised. The results add to information on the variability of environmental impacts caused by mining and metal production in prehistoric Europe. Finally, this study contributes to a wider understanding of vegetation history and anthropogenic influences during the Holocene in the West Cork region.

Genetic structure and postglacial recolonization of Pinus sibirica Du Tour in the West Siberian Plain, inferred from nuclear microsatellite markers

Abstract The total of 257 trees from the ten natural Siberian stone pine populations of West Siberian Plain, Ural Mountains and Kuznetsk Alatau were studied with the eight nuclear microsatellite loci. Differentiation of population groups indicates the possible existence of separate refugia in the past in the Urals and Kuznetsk Alatau. The northern populations of Western Siberia were characterized by a reduced level of genetic diversity, which could be a consequence of the founder effect in the process of P. sibirica migration from the southern regions of Western Siberia and the Urals since the end of the last glacial maximum. The genetic variability distribution among populations shows the uneven dynamics of Siberian stone pine migration from the zones of supposed refugia. The map of the proposed ways of Siberian stone pine migration from the zones of possible refugia was constructed, and it is in a good agreement with the results of palynological investigations.

Bronze Age and Later Vegetation History on the Limestone Tabular Hills of North-East Yorkshire, UK: Pollen Diagrams from Dalby Forest

This paper presents the results of palynological investigations on the limestone Tabular Hills of the North York Moors in north-east England. These limestone areas have the highest concentration of post-Mesolithic archaeological sites in this upland region, but because of the geology and paucity of suitable organic deposits they have had almost no palynological research with which to assess the land-use history of these cultures, nor their impacts on the vegetation. This lack of palaeoecological information from the Tabular Hills has been addressed, so that the area’s environmental history can be added to that of the rest of the North York Moors, which is relatively well known. Three pollen profiles have been examined, Yondhead Rigg providing an early Bronze Age to post-Medieval record, Seavy Slack providing a late Iron Age to post-Medieval record, and Dargate Dykes providing a late Medieval to modern record. The combined vegetation history from the three sites indicates a similar story to that from elsewhere on the Moors, with substantial forest disturbance in Bronze Age and Iron Age times, with significant woodland regeneration after each, but with the first main forest clearance phase for agriculture occurring during the Romano-British period, followed by early Medieval woodland regeneration, then extensive clearance in the later Medieval period for some arable cultivation and extensive animal husbandry on the rich calcareous grassland. In each agricultural phase the scale and intensity of disturbance seems to have been greater in these fertile limestone areas than in the rest of the Moors, with their poorer, more acidic soils, but still with an emphasis on stock-rearing and less extensive cultivation. The results will allow a more comprehensive landscape history of the North York Moors to be understood for later prehistory and more recent times.

Palynological investigation of a later Bronze Age copper mine at Derrycarhoon in south-west Ireland

Palynological investigation of a later Bronze Age copper mine at Derrycarhoon in south-west Ireland

Palynological investigations in Jasminum spp.


 
 
 The present investigation was carried out at the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2017-2019. The study involved nine jasmine genotypes, four falling under the commercially cultivated types and five belonging to underutilized species or ‘lesser-known species’. The study was undertaken to investigate and document the palynological parameters of jasmines which could serve as a reliable reference for future jasmine breeding programmes. The palynological investigations were carried out using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), haemocytometry, acetocarmine test, and in vitro pollen germination. The pollen morphology analysis indicated wide variation among the species for the shape of the pollen grain, ranging from tricolpate to prolate; the exine ornamentation was reticulate in all the genotypes. Pollen output was the highest in J. rigidum (28,660 pollen/flower) and the lowest in (625 pollen/ flower) in J. sambac cv. Ramanathapuram Gundumalli. The maximum pollen germination rate and pollen tube length were recorded in J. rigidum.
 
 

Palynological investigations in Jasminum spp.

The present investigation was carried out at the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2017-2019. The study involved nine jasmine genotypes, four falling under the commercially cultivated types and five belonging to underutilized species or ‘lesser-known species’. The study was undertaken to investigate and document the palynological parameters of jasmines which could serve as a reliable reference for future jasmine breeding programmes. The palynological investigations were carried out using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), haemocytometry, acetocarmine test, and in vitro pollen germination. The pollen morphology analysis indicated wide variation among the species for the shape of the pollen grain, ranging from tricolpate to prolate; the exine ornamentation was reticulate in all the genotypes. Pollen output was the highest in J. rigidum (28,660 pollen/flower) and the lowest in (625 pollen/ flower) in J. sambac cv. Ramanathapuram Gundumalli. The maximum pollen germination rate and pollen tube length were recorded in J. rigidum.

Pollen morphology of Ligeriinae Hanst. (Gesneriaceae): Diagnostic features and their systematic importance

The subtribe Ligeriinae, composed of three genera (Paliavana Vand., Sinningia Ness and Vanhouttea Lem.) and species with wide morphological differentiation, has not been investigated satisfactorily yet in terms of palynology. Thus, the pollen grains of 35 Brazilian species of Ligeriinae (Gesneriaceae) were studied under light microscopy and some species under scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The aim of this study was to characterize the pollen morphology of selected species from the subtribe presenting morphological pollen data (qualitative and quantitative) in an attempt to characterize the studied genera and provide diagnostic data in their systematics. This represents an initial study for this tribe as it involves approximately one third of the species. The pollen grains were acetolyzed, measured and described qualitatively. Quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and multivariate statistics. The species were analyzed considering 12 quantitative pollen characteristics. The analyses were conducted on a total of 76 specimens sampled. The study revealed that the diagnostic morphological features of the pollen grains studied were: amb, shape, type of apertures and exine ornamentation. On the basis of these traits, Vanhouttea calcarata and all Sinningia species show similarity, while the two Paliavana species differ from each other and are easily discriminated also from the two other genera. Furthermore, the Sinningia species analyzed so far can be characterized as stenopalynous. The pollen characteristics are useful for the taxonomical study of these genera. Nevertheless, the results obtained indicate the need to expand the palynological investigations in the genus Sinningia.

Distribution of Dinoflagellate cyst assemblages and palynofacies in the Upper Cretaceous deposits from the neritic Bou Lila section, External Rif (northwestern Morocco): Implications for the age, biostratigraphic correlations and paleoenviromental reconstructions

As a part of our palynological investigations of the Upper Cretaceous deposits from the Rif Chain, the present study of the dinoflagellate cyst assemblage distribution and palynofacies was carried out in the Bou Lila section, located northeast of the city of Ksar El-Kébir (External Rif, northwestern Morocco). The study focused on the age refinement and interpretation of paleoenvironmental conditions within the basin during the sediment deposition. The analyzed samples are rich in palynomorphs, formed essentially of diverse and well-preserved dinoflagellate cysts, which are associated with phytoclasts and rare microforaminiferal test linings, spores, pollen grains and algae.The Bou Lila section is assigned to the late Campanian, based on dinoflagellate cyst taxa, whose first appearance datums (FADs) or last appearance datums (LADs) are markers of the late Campanian. These taxa include Areoligera coronata, Areoligera senonensis, Cerodiniuum diebelii, Chatangiella? robusta, Cribroperidinium wilsonii subsp. wilsonii, Impagidinium rigidaseptatum, Odontochtina operculata, Odontochitina costata, Palynodinium grallator, Raetiaedinium belgicum, Rigaudella appenninica, Trichodinium castanea subsp. castanea, Trigonopyxidia ginella, Trithyrodinium evittii, Trithyrodinum suspectum, Xenascus ceratioides and Xenascus wetzelii. The high diversity of the dinoflagellate cyst taxa made it possible to correlate the Bou Lila section with biostratigraphically well-calibrated upper Campanian sequences from several Tethyan and also Boreal sites, including the type Campanian area and the GSSP for the base of the Maastrichtian in southwestern France and the type Maastrichtian area in Limburg.The fluctuations in the relative abundances of the selected dinoflagellate cyst groups and other quantitative palynological parameters allow a recognition of three paleoecological zones. They indicate a gradual passage from an inner neritic setting, with high productivity conditions in the most basal part of the section, to a stable outer neritic setting in the upper part of the section.The palynofacies analyses are in general agreement with the dinoflagellate cyst results, indicating a passage from a proximal depositional environment in the lowermost part of the section to a distal depositional environment in the uppermost part of the section. The dinoflagellate cyst assemblage indicates a subtropical to temperate setting, with the presence of the northern high-latitude cold-water species Palynodinium grallator, suggesting a short cooling episode or also conditions of water stratification during the late Campanian.

Vegetation history of the Maharlou Lake basin (SW Iran) with special reference to the Achaemenid period (550\u2013330 bc)

This study presents the results of a palynological investigation on a sediment core from the seasonal and saline Lake Maharlou in the Zagros Mountains in southwest Iran. We emphasised studying the role of man in modifying the vegetation of the area and the dominant agricultural practices during the Imperial Persia period (2,500–1,299 cal bp; 550 bc-ad 651), particularly the Achaemenid Empire (2,500–2,280 cal bp; 550–330 bc). Scattered pistachio-almond scrub combined with Quercus brantii was the main vegetation type of the basin during the period studied. The present study depicts a significant increase in agriculture, suggesting urban development during the Late Antiquity and early Islamic Iranian dynasties. The inferred chronology of arboricultural activities is compatible with historical evidence showing that Fars Province witnessed economic and agricultural flourishing during these periods. The presence of the ‘Persian gardens’ is supported by the co-increase of cypress tree pollen frequencies with pollen of other cultivated trees, especially Platanus; both trees were cultivated for their shade and symbolic values. This study also provides pollen evidence of Punica granatum during the Achaemenid period and Phoenix dactylifera cultivation during the early post-Sasanian era. The variations in indicator pollen ratios among Poaceae, Artemisia, and Amaranthaceae appear compatible with the palaeohydrology of the basin and show periods of aridity followed by higher moisture availability. We suggest that anthropogenic activities played the leading role in vegetation change in the Maharlou Lake basin enhanced by climatic changes during the last ~4,000 years.

New colonial acritarch Involusphaeridium gutschicki gen. et sp. nov. from the Lower Sappington Formation (Upper Famennian), western Montana, USA

Palynological investigation carried on the samples from the Unit 1 of the Sappington Formation (Upper Famennian, Montana, USA) reveals a presence of rich phytoplankton and microflora assemblages. The presence of spheroidal vesicles approx. 20 μm in diameter having a rigid smooth wall and frequently arranged in clusters connected by an external coating are proposed as a new taxon named Involusphaeridium gutschicki gen. et sp. nov. The coating on individual vesicles and colonies of I. gutschicki gen. et sp. nov. suggests a link with algal or fungal groups but also, with the eggs of arthropods. Hence, it is considered as incertae sedis (acritarch group).

Deposition characteristics of pliocene coals in the denizli region (SW Turkey) via organic petrography, geochemistry, and stable isotope composition

The objective of this study is to identify and evaluate the organic geochemical properties, paleo vegetation, and paleo depositional environment of coals in Denizli (SW Turkey). Organic geochemical and petrographic investigations, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and palynological and stable isotope (δ2H, δ13C, δ15N, δ18O and δ34S) investigations have been performed. Coal, clayey coal, and coaly claystone samples from the study area have gas and oil production potential according to their total organic carbon (0.59–48.30 wt%), hydrogen index (56–286 mg HC/g TOC), oxygen index (30–121 mg CO2/g TOC) and S2/S3 (0.47–9.59) values. Dominant maceral assemblages included huminites and low amounts of liptinite group macerals. Tissue preservation index (0.39–5.13), gelification index (4.11–96.83), groundwater index (0.40–8.77) and vegetation index (0.49–42.67) parameters indicate a limno-telmatic environment and increased woody tissue. Mean random huminite/vitrinite reflectance values (ranging from 0.23 to 0.41 %Ro) denote lignite and sub-bituminous C and B ranked coals. Carpinus, Alnus, Zelkova, Platanus-Salix, Carya, and Ostrya were found through palynologic investigations. In addition, freshwater algae Botryococcus was detected in coal samples from Denizli. δ13C, δ15N values and C/N ratios indicated a terrestrial C3 ecosystem. Some sterane and tricyclic terpane ratios and aromatic biomarkers have shown that high plant input, immature organic matter and oxic-suboxic conditions are predominant in the depositional environment.

Paleoclimatic and paleoecological inferences of the Family Anemiaceae: A palynological investigation from variable spatial and temporal strata in some lithostratigraphic units of Brazil, India and France

The study of the interaction of cicatricose spores related to the family Anemiaceae with other botanical groups in the palynological record contributes to a better understanding of the paleoecological, paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental aspects of this family through geological times. The present work based on the investigation of Anemiaceae fossil spores and other contemporary palynomorphs in different geological rock units and time windows from Brazil, France and India. For the purpose to fulfill the objectives of this study, detailed statistical analyses are applied in order to trace the adaptation of Anemiaceae in variable conditions throughout its geological existence, especially that this family is distributed spatially through a large regional scale of the world and was not limited to warm and humid paleoclimates. Results show that fossil Anemiaceae has been survived interacting among a diverse community of plants in a wide spectrum of paleoenvironments and paleoclimates.

Palynological investigation of selected species of family asteraceae using light and scanning electron microscopic techniques.

Palynological study on 11 species of family asteraceae, that is, Sonchus asper L., Gazania rigens L., Helianthus annus L., Dahlia pinnata Cav., Zinnia peruviana L., Tagetes erectus L., Glebionis coronaria L., Calendula officinale L., Osteospermum ecklonis L., Centaurea cyanus L. and Cosmos sulphureus Cav. was carried out in Islamia College University Campus. The light microscopy showed that pollens were oblate-sheroidal (C. cyanus), oblate (Z. peruviana), prolate-spheroidal (H. annuus, T. erectus, G. coronaria, C. officinale, O. ecklonis, C. sulphureus) and spheroidal (S. asper, G. rigens, D. pinnata) in shape. The pollen was trizonocolporate, tricolporate and echinolophate type, all pollens had echinate ornamentation except G. regins which had reticulate ornamentation under SEM. Maximum Pollens were isopolar and asymmetrical while some were apolar and radially symmetric. The P/E ratio was larger in G. rigens (45/47 μm), T. erectus (45/40 μm) and C. officinale (40/45 μm) while others had smaller P/E diameter. C. sulphureus had 6 μm thick exine when compared to other taxa. The larger number of spines/echini were found on the exine surface of H. annuus and S. asper and the distance between adjacent echini were 4-5 μm in C. cyanus and G. rigens than others which had distance equal to 1-3 μm, while pores were visible on pollen surface of C. cyanus, O. ecklonis, Z. peruviana, H. annuus and G. rigens under light microscope and were invisible on other pollen surfaces. The pollen of family asteraceae members was of stenopalynous type.

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.

The Late Quaternary pollen sequence of Toll Cave, a palaeontological site with evidence of human activities in northeastern Spain

Palynological investigations of Toll Cave, a carnivore and archaeological cave site in northeastern Spain, are presented. The inferred vegetation reveals the long-term permanence of mixed pine-oak forests through a long period of environmental changes within the interval MIS 4 to MIS 1, and probably before. A relatively high diversity of woody taxa is found, including conifers, mesophytic angiosperms, Mediterranean forest, and xerothermic scrub. The most outstanding findings include the abundance of Pinus, evergreen Quercus, and Juniperus; the continuous occurrences of deciduous Quercus, Acer, Castanea, Betula, Fraxinus, Buxus, Olea, Salix, and Erica, and the presence of Abies, Taxus, Carpinus betulus, Tilia, Populus, Celtis, Juglans, Ulmus, Calicotome, Cistus, Ephedra fragilis, Myrtus, Pistacia, Rhamnus and Viburnum. Together with the pollen record of the nearby Teixoneres Cave, this new data suggest the existence of woodland refugia during the coldest and most arid stages of the upper Pleistocene across this relatively high-latitude region within the Iberian Peninsula. This study also supports the occurrence of forest ecosystems within the Mediterranean-Eurosiberian ecotone of the Iberian Peninsula in the vicinity of Homo habitats, including Neanderthals.

Anatomical and Palynological Investigations on Rubia tinctorum L. (Rubieae, Rubiaceae) from the Aegean Region of Turkey

Rubia L. cinsi tarimsal, endustriyel ve farmakolojik acidan onemli turleri icermektedir. Turkiye florasinda dogal olarak bulunan ve kizilboya olarak bilinen Rubia tinctorum L. eski tarihlerden beri koklerinden elde edilen kokboyasi ile dogal boya kaynagi olarak kullanilmaktadir. Bu calismada, Turkiye’nin Ege Bolgesi’nde yayilis gosteren R. tinctorum ’un isik ve taramali elektron mikroskobu ile incelenen anatomik and palinolojik ozellikleri uzerine bir on degerlendirme raporu verilir. Kok anatomisinde, cok sirali parankima hucrelerinden meydana gelen korteks, kollateral iletim demetlerinden olusan iletim doku, 1(-2) sirali isin hucreleri ve merkezinde bir bosluk bulunan oz gozlemlenmektedir. Yaprak ayasi anatomisi incelendiginde, bifasiyal ve amfistomatik tipte yaprak, 1 sirali silindir seklinde palizat parankimasi ile birkac sirali duzensiz dizilmis sunger parankimasindan olusan dosiventral tipte mezofil ve parankimatik demet kini hucreleri tarafindan cevrelenen buyuk kollateral bir iletim demetine sahip orta damar bulunmaktadir. Polen tanecikleri tek tek dokulur, kucuk boyutlu, ekvatoral gorunumde siklikla sferoidal sekilli, genellikle hekzakolpat ve mikroekinat-perforat ekzin susune sahiptir.

Sequence completed – palynological investigations on Lateglacial/Early Holocene environmental changes recorded in sequentially laminated lacustrine sediments of the Nahe palaeolake in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

The exploration of Lateglacial vegetation history in Schleswig-Holstein is elaborate and comprehensive. Despite being one of the most studied areas, regarding to the Lateglacial, no biostratigraphy covering the complete Lateglacial and Early Holocene periods without hiatus have so far been recovered. In this paper we present a biostratigraphy of the Nahe paleolake, therewith intending to deal with this desideratum.The special strength of the presented sequence is expressed in the fact that these are the only palynologically investigated sequentially annual laminated limnic sediments of the Lateglacial in Schleswig-Holstein. These laminated sediments, as well as radiocarbon dating of botanical macrofossils and three geochemically confirmed cryptotephra layers (Laacher See Tephra, Vedde Ash and Saksunarvatn Ash), provide excellent chronological control and allow for a Europe-wide correlation. Particularly important is a complete discussion of the vegetation history and the spatial proximity to Late Paleolithic sites, which renders it possible to evaluate potential human–environment-interaction long before classical palynological human indicators occur.

Palynological Investigation of the Lower Gondwana Outcrop Near Gopalprasad, Odisha, India: An Inference on the age, Palaeovegetation and Palaeoclimate

Palynological Investigation of the Lower Gondwana Outcrop Near Gopalprasad, Odisha, India: An Inference on the age, Palaeovegetation and Palaeoclimate