Climate characteristics of the eastern Mongolian Plateau,China during the early Early Cretaceous (145–132 Ma): Palynological evidence from the Tongbomiao Formation in Well Hong-6, Hailar Basin

This study identified two palynological assemblages, namely Bayanhuasporites-Cycadopites-Protoconiferus and Cicatricosisporites-Cedripites-Perinopollenites, in the Tongbomiao Formation in the Hongqi Sag in the Hailar Basin, Inner Mongolia, China for the first time. The former is distributed in the lower part of the Tongbomiao Formation and is characterized by abundant gymnosperm pollen and diverse fern spores. Among them, the gymnosperm pollen is dominated by Paleoconifer (4.98%–31.62%) and Cycadopite (8.55%–25.23%) pollen grains and also includes other pollen grains such as Classopollis, Parcisporites, Erlianpollis, Callialasporites, and Jiaohepollis. The fern spores in the former palynological assemblage contain Bayanhuasporite (0–8.96%), Granulatisporites (0.93%–6.97%), and some important Cretaceous genera, such as Cicatricosisporites, Concavissimisporites, Densoisporites, Hsuisporites, Foraminisporis, and Leptolepidites. The Cicatricosisporites-Cedripites-Perinopollenites palynological assemblage is distributed in the upper part of the Tongbomiao Formation. Gymnosperm (77.30%), Pinaceae (31.9%), and Paleoconiferus (19.02%) pollen predominate this palynological assemblage, and Quadraeculina, Erlianpollis, and Jiaohepollis pollen are also common in this assemblage. The fern spores in this palynological assemblage include abundant Cicatricosisporites (4.29%). Besides, Concavissimisporites, Aequitriradites, and Leptolepidites are also common in this palynological assemblage. No angiosperm pollen has been found in both palynological assemblages. The identification of both palynological assemblages provides important evidence for the biostratigraphic correlation between the Hailar Basin and its adjacent areas. It also enables the reconstructions of the Berriasian-Valanginian (Early Cretaceous) vegetation and the paleoclimate on the eastern Mongolian Plateau during 141–132 Ma. The vegetation reconstructed on the palynological data of the represented by Hailar Basin in eastern Mongolian Plateau (141.6–141.4 Ma), form conifer forest or conifer broad-leaved mixed forest to conifer forest with shrubs and grassland, the climate belongs to warm temperate and warm-subtropicalt, the highest temperature is estimated to reach 35–38°C. Form 132.3 Ma, the vegetation type is conifer forest, and its paleoclimate is sub-humid warm temperate, the highest temperature is estimated to reach 24–29°C.©2022 China Geology Editorial Office.     

Palynoflora of the Gil’chin and Dim dinosaur localities (the Zeya-Bureya Basin,Russian Far East)

The analysis of the palynological spectra from the Gil’chin and Dim dinosaur localities of the Zeya-Bureya Basin revealed that the first of them is characterized by the high abundance of Filicales spores accompanied (in descending order) by tricolpate, bisaccate conifer pollen, Ginkgocycadophytus, Taxodiaceae, Cupressaceae, Taxaceae (TCT), Ulmoideipites, and “unica”-type pollen. The spectra from the second site are dominated by Filicales spores and (second in significance) pollen of plants characteristic of river valley communities (Platanaceae and Ulmaceae) accompanied by common bisaccate conifer pollen and subordinate TCT and Ginkgocycadophytus pollen. The middle Maastrichtian bone-bearing taphocoenoses of the Gil’chin and Dim localities were formed in spacious swamped river valleys covered by ferns and taxodialeans. The Platanaceae and Ulmaceae pollen implies the development of light forests in river valleys. The Ulmaceae pollen is indicative of highly variable environments in the mid-Maastrichtian, probably, with an intermittent water influx. The low share of bissacate pollen in the palynospectra from these two localities is presumably determined by their remoteness from the slopes of the depression.     

A Spore-Pollen Assemblage from the Damoguaihe Formation in the Tamutsag Basin,Mongolia and Its Geological Implication

Based on the palynological data from Well Ta-19-36 and Well Ta-19-37 in the Ta'nan Sag, and Well Ta-22-1 and Well Ta-21-1 in the Bayin Gobi Sag, a spore-pollen assemblage from the Damoguaihe Formation is named as Cicatricosisporites minutaestriatus- Aequitriradites spinulosus-Protopinus sp. assemblage in the Tamutsag Basin, Mongolia. The assemblage is characterized by abundant gymnosperm pollen and diverse fern spores, counted 46.35%–65.57% and 34.43%–52.58% in percentage respectively. Among the gymnosperm pollen, Pinuspollenites sp.(2.66%–16.94%), Protopinus sp.(0–11.38%) and Protopicea sp.(0–10.81%) are dominant; and Alisporites sp., Cerebropollenites sp., Podocarpidites sp., and Abietineaepollenites sp. are common. Some important elements, such as Chasmatosporites sp., Callialasporites prominulus, Parvisaccites sp., Parcisporites sp., Jiaohepollis cf. annulatus, J. bellus, J. verus, Polycingulatisporites sp., Schizaeoisporites certus, Classopollis annulatus are seen. Within the fern spores, Osmundacidites wellamanii(0.85%–4.93%), Appendicisporites sp.(0–4.45%), Baculatisporites comaumensis(0.80%–2.87%), Cicatricosisporites sp.(0.51%–2.66%), C. minor(0–2.14%), Foraminisporis asymmetricus(0–2.40%), Aequitriradites sp.(0– 2.19%) and Cyathidites minor(0–2.13%) are dominant; and some specie of Densoisporites, Cooksonites, Impardecispora, Pilosisporites, Schizaeosprites, Fixisporites, Leptolepidites, Trilobosporites, Kuylisporites, Klukisporites, Hsuisporites, Couperisporites, Maculatisporites are seen. The angiosperm pollen are rare in the assemblage, characterized by Clavatipollenites sp.(0–0.80%) and Songipollis sp.(0–0.27%). The geological age of the Damoguaihe Formation is assigned to Hauterivian – Barremian of Early Cretaceous according to the palynological data, due to the fact that there existed a lot of diverse spores of the family Schizaeaceae and prosperous gymnosperm saccat pollen which the corpus and sacci are differentiated completely, and the presence of early angiosperm pollen of Clavatipollenites. However, the zircon U-Pb isotopic dating of the volcanic rocks in the Nantun Formation indicated that the overlying strata of the Nantun Formation, i.e. the Damoguaihe Formation must be younger than 127.0±2.0–137.9±1.5 Ma. This is consistent with the palynological data. Furthermore, the vegetation reconstructed on the palynological data of the Damoguaihe Formation is conifer forest with shrubs and grassland, belonging to the semi-humid or humid middle to south subtropical climate. Moreover, three new species, namely Biretisporites punctatus sp. nov., Chasmatosporites reticulates sp. nov. and Concentrisporites contractus sp. nov. are described here.     

吐鲁番拗陷中侏罗世孢粉植物群及古环境

根据吐鲁番拗陷葡１井和草南１井中侏罗世的孢子花粉化石及其组合特征，研究孢粉植物群、古植被面貌及古生态环境，探讨中侏罗世的古气候性质、演变及其对聚煤作用和油气生成的影响。     

新疆库车库尔哈剖面两个新生代孢粉组合的时代和环境意义

库车盆地的新生界发育比较完整,笔者在库车县城北东方向约50km的库尔哈村西的河谷中测制了剖面。于66层的44号样和90层的50号样品中获得了两个孢粉组合。66层和90层皆属于康村组,两个样品之间相差约200m(真厚度)。在此之前,尚未见到有关康村组孢粉化石的报道。44号样的孢粉组合中被子植物花粉占绝对优势,含量高达94.5%,裸子植物花粉和蕨类植物孢子均少量出现。孢粉面貌反映以草原和灌丛为主的植被类型。50号样的孢粉组合中被子植物花粉占优势(66.5%),裸子植物花粉有较高含量(32.0%),蕨类植物孢子零星出现。孢粉面貌反映盆地周缘广泛分布有以松科为主的高山针叶林带。     

山东诸城晚白垩世孢粉组合的发现及其地质意义

山东晚白垩世沉积以往未见孢粉化石。近年,通过对山东诸城侯家屯钻井岩心的研究,发现了丰富的孢粉化石,为确定地层时代和恢复古气候提供了有力的依据。其孢粉组成如下:     

Age and palynological characteristic of the Dongning Formation (Eastern Heilongjiang,China)

The taxonomic composition of the palynological assemblage of the Dongning Formation is supplemented. The palynological assemblage corresponds to those from the Lipovtsy Formation (Aptian) in the Razdolnaya Basin of Primorye (Russia) and the Muling Formation (Aptian) in the Jixi Basin of eastern Heilongjiang (China). It is found that the age of the Dongning Formation is Aptian. The palynological assemblage is characterized by dominance of spores of Gleicheniaceae; they are accompanied by spores of Cyatheaceae. The most important feature of the palynological assemblage of the Dongning Formation is the presence of angiosperm pollen (Tricolpites sp., T. micromunus, T. vulgaris, Retitricolpites georgiensis, R. vulgaris, Clavatipollenites hughesii, Quercites sparsus, Fraxiniopollenites variabilis).     

华北地块东北缘红庙子盆地鹰嘴砬子组孢粉化石

报道华北地块东北缘地区红庙子盆地鹰嘴砬子组的孢粉化石,建立了Cicatricosisporites-Abietineaepollenites-Piceites组合,该组合的主要特征为:以裸子类双气囊花粉和海金沙科孢子为主,含一定量裸子类无气囊花粉,未见被子类花粉,孢粉组合特征可与松辽盆地沙河子组对比。一些具有早白垩世时代意义的孢粉化石,如Cicatricosisporites sp.,Cicatricosisporites undulates和Cicatricosisporites implexus的出现,表明鹰嘴砬子组的地质时代为早白垩世。根据孢粉化石资料,推测华北地块东北缘地区在鹰嘴砬子组沉积时期古植被面貌以松科和杉科组成的松柏类针叶林为主,林下生长着真蕨类。古气候相当于湿润-半湿润的亚热带气候。     

Palynochronology of Lower Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary succession of the Rajmahal Formation in the Rajmahal Basin, India

In the Rajmahal Basin Lower Cretaceous rocks are classified under the Rajmahal Formation. It includes a series of volcanic basalt flows and associated sedimentary intertrappean beds. Up to 15 basalt flows have been recorded in this basin. The intertrappean beds comprise sandstone, shale, siltstone, and clay deposits which are rich in spores and pollen. The palynoflora recovered from intertrappean beds shows definite pattern of evolution and diversification. On the basis of its overall composition, distribution pattern of age marker taxa and the First Appearance Datum of key taxa, four palynological assemblages have been identified. The chronology of these assemblages in ascending order is (1) Ruffordiaspora australiensis, (2) Foraminisporis wonthaggiensis, (3) Foraminisporis asymmetricus, and (4) Coptospora verrucosa. These assemblages ascertain the age of the volcano-sedimentary sequence of the Rajmahal Formation in the Rajmahal Basin as Berriasian to Aptian. The palynochronology of the intertrappean beds enables their correlation in the Rajmahal Basin. In different areas of the basin, the palynological dating of the lowermost intertrappean bed within the Rajmahal Formation which overlies the Dubrajpur Formation, has provided a Berriasian to Aptian age. The palynological assemblage indicating the Berriasian age is inferred as the time of the initiation of volcanic activity which continued up to the Aptian in the Rajmahal Basin.     

广西桂林地区晚三叠世孢粉组合及其地层意义

广西桂林地区首次发现晚三叠世孢粉化石２７属３７种,可称为Ｄｉｃｔｙｏｐｈｙｌｉｄｉｔｅｓ－Ｃａｎａｌｉ－ｚｏｎｏｓｐｏｒａ－Ｏｖａｌｉｐｏｌｉｓ－Ｒｉｃｃｉｓｐｏｒｉｔｅｓ组合,其中的主要属种在国内外均为晚三叠世的重要分子,并可与我国华南地区和欧洲有关晚三叠世孢粉组合进行对比。因此,当前组合的地质时代属于晚三叠世,这填补了桂林地区中生代地质发展史中的一个空白。     

浙江长兴煤山D剖面早三叠世孢粉组合及全球对比意义

在长兴煤山D剖面下三叠统殷坑组14 m厚的地层内(第25-60层)密集采孢粉样89件, 从12块样品中获得孢粉化石47属50种, 据此将该剖面下三叠统底部的孢粉组合定为Lundbladispora-Taeniaesporites-Equisetosporites组合.组合中裸子植物花粉占优势, 为59.0%~79.6%;蕨类植物孢子次之, 为20.4%~41.0%;裸子植物花粉中以无肋双气囊类花粉为主, 含量为19.7%~54.4%, 多沟类花粉虽仅见Equisetosporites一属, 但含量高, 最高达24.3%.蕨类植物孢子中光面三缝孢类含量最高, 为14.3%~24.4%, 以圆形的Puncatisporites为主, 最高可达16.2%.孢粉组合Lundbladispora-Taeniaesporites-Equisetosporites与同一剖面的早三叠世牙形石第2带Isarcicella isarcica带及第3带Clarkina carinata-C.planata带相重合.这对当前正在进行的陆相二叠系-三叠系界线的准确划分提供了重要的参照系.研究还表明, 煤山D剖面早三叠世早期的孢粉组合与中国北方区的早三叠世同期的孢粉组合对比较为困难, 而与华南各地的对比较为吻合, 说明中国南、北方古生代孢粉组合向中生代孢粉组合转变的时间并不一致, 北方较早, 南方较晚.      

成都金沙遗址距今3000年的古气候探讨

成都金沙遗址位于成都西郊金沙村,可能是商代晚期至西周时期（约公元前11世纪–前770年）古蜀国的都邑所在地。本文分析了金沙遗址两个探方WT7908和IT8305的31个孢粉样品,探方IT8305孢粉组合表明：蕨类植物孢子占60.3%,草本被子植物花粉占24.8%,木本裸子和被子植物花粉占14.2%,水生植物花粉相对较少,仅占0.7%。蕨类植物主要以蹄盖蕨科、水龙骨科和凤尾蕨属为主,草本植物中野牡丹科占绝对优势,木本裸子和被子植物中主要以松属和桦木属为主,水生植物主要包括双星藻、鸭跖草科和香蒲属。成都平原在这个时期的气候分为两个阶段,前期阶段的气候属于亚热带温暖湿润气候,平原上生长着茂盛的草本植物和蕨类植物;后期阶段的气候虽然还属于亚热带气候,但较前期更加湿热,气温和降雨量都比前期要高。定量分析和重建了金沙遗址距今3000年的古气候：年均温17.7–19.8ºC、最热月均温21.7–28.6ºC、最冷月均温11.5–11.9ºC、年较差12.1–14.9ºC、年降雨量993.3–1113.3 mm、最大月降雨量224.6–268.1 mm、最小月降雨量6.9–14.1 mm。成都地区3000年前的年均温比现在要高1.7–2.8ºC,而年降雨量基本和现在一致。     

Palynological investigation of Neogene (Early Miocene) sediments of Mangalore basin,India: Palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic implications

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.     

内蒙古扎兰屯地区龙江组孢粉组合及其地质意义

成吉思汗驿站龙江组剖面位于扎兰屯成吉思汗镇东南部,组内大化石稀少,但孢粉化石丰富,下部岩性为沉凝灰岩、凝灰岩、凝灰质砂岩、砂岩、砾岩,上部岩性为安山岩、英安岩。通过对成吉思汗驿站龙江组孢粉化石的分析,在龙江组中识别出圆形粒面孢-二连粉孢粉组合带(Cyclogranisporites-Erlianpollis)。通过对孢粉化石属种的分析,根据具有时代指示意义的孢粉化石,如Erlianpollis,Cicatricosisporites,Pilosisporites等,认为成吉思汗地区龙江组孢粉化石形成时代为早白垩世,结合地质、古植物及孢粉化石的定量分析,认为龙江组植被类型反映亚热带气候,指示温暖潮湿的环境。     

Stratigraphy of Upper Cretaceous and Cenozoic deposits of the Bakchar iron ore deposit (southwestern Siberia): New data

The results of complex palynological and microfaunistic studies of Upper Cretaceous and Cenozoic deposits of the Bakchar iron ore deposit are presented. Geochronologically, the age of the deposits varies from Campanian to Quaternary. It was established that the Slavgorod, Gan’kino, and Jurki (?) formations contain four biostratons in the rank of beds with dinocysts and three biostratons in the rank of beds with spores and pollen. The Cenozoic continental deposits contain four biostratons in the rank of beds, containing spores and pollen. As a result of the study, a large stratigraphic gap in the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary deposits, covering a significant part of the Maastrichtian, Paleocene, Ypresian, and Lutetian stages of the Eocene, was established. The remnants of a new morphotype of heteromorphic ammonites of genus Baculites were first described in deposits of the Slavgorod Formation (preliminarily, upper Campanian). The distribution features of the different palynomorph groups in the Upper Cretaceous–Cenozoic deposits in the area of study due to transgressive-regressive cycles and climate fluctuations were revealed.     

Taphonomy or signal sensitivity in palaeoecological investigations of Norse landnám in Vatnahverfi,southern Greenland?

Anthrosols (cf. plaggen soils) are commonly found across the homefields of Norse farms, yet the extent to which these taphonomically complex and heterogeneous deposits provide reliable archives of environmental change and vegetation history has rarely been investigated. This paper compares the palynological signature contained within an anthrosol located beside Norse farm ruins in the Eastern Settlement of Greenland, with that from a mire situated ～400 m from the nearest archaeological remains. The investigation covers a period of ～1000 years leading into, through, and beyond the Greenlandic landnám of AD 985. The results demonstrate that, as anticipated, the anthrosol contains a strong signal for human impact associated with settlement and occupation, although changes in both pollen percentages and accumulation rates (influx) through the profile appear smooth, not erratic, and radiocarbon dates are conformable. Thus the palynological signature contained in the anthrosol is broadly comparable to the patterns characteristic of stratified natural contexts (e.g. mires) with small pollen source areas that are located in close proximity to former Norse structures. Nevertheless, it is also demonstrated that secondary microfossils are a major component of the pollen assemblages within the anthrosol, and pollen influx is notably an order of magnitude higher when compared against the peat core taken from the mire. It is suggested that this may result from the addition of pollen contained in animal dung, augmenting that accumulating through the natural accretion of pollen derived from the surrounding vegetation and landing on the surface of the anthrosol. Although this complicates any palynological interpretation, by adopting a cautious approach we argue that anthrosols can be used to extract useful information about vegetation history at a local scale, as well as providing indirect evidence of landscape impacts and resource use around farmsteads.     

黑龙江三江盆地晚白垩世海浪组孢粉组合

依据东基三井1 226. 0～1 538. 0 m井段的孢粉鉴定结果,结合前人资料,首次将该井段孢粉组合命名为Cyathidites-Taxodiaceaepolleni-Aquilapollenites组合。其组合特征为:裸子植物花粉占48. 10%～78. 58%,蕨类孢子占2. 44%～34. 18%,被子植物花粉占0%～28. 26%;蕨类孢子中Cyathidites百分含量最高(0. 79%～37. 50%),其次是Cicatricosisporites (0%～12. 50%)和Leiotriletes (0%～10. 00%),重要分子有Appendicisporites、Schizaeoisporites、Lygodiumsporites和Lygodioisporites;裸子植物花粉中Inaperturopllenites的百分含量最高(11. 29%～38. 83%),其次是Taxodiaceaepollenites (12. 66%～28. 57%),重要分子有Tsugaepollenites、Parcisporites、Parvisaccites、Ephedripites和Classopollis等;被子植物花粉中Tricolpites的百分含量最高(0%～16. 46%),其次是Betulaepollenites (0%～15. 22%),含量较高的还有Momipites和Tricolporopollenites,重要分子有Aquilapollenites、Fibulapollis和Proteacidites等。该组合可以与松辽盆地嫩江组孢粉组合对比,地质时代为晚白垩世Santonian-Campanian期。鉴于宁安市南团子山、高家等露头区海浪组所产Estherites mitsuishii、E. liuxinensis、Tylestheria cf. shanhoensis、Halysestheria yui、Calestherites sp.和Brachygrapta? sp.等叶肢介化石群,系松辽盆地嫩江组常见分子,故将东基三井1 226. 0～1 538. 0 m井段划归为海浪组,废弃"七星河组"一名。     

Palynological assemblages of non-marine rocks at the Permian–Triassic boundary, western Guizhou and eastern Yunnan, South China

Marine and non-marine facies of the Permian–Triassic boundary stratigraphic set (PTBST) are well developed in South China. Palynological assemblages enable subdivision and correlation of the Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB) rocks. Three palynological assemblages are recognized across the PTBST in two terrestrial PTB sections in western Guizhou and eastern Yunnan, South China. Assemblage 1 (Xuanwei Formation) is a Late Permian palynological assemblage dominated by ferns and pteridosperms, with minor gymnosperms. Most taxa are typical long-ranging Paleozoic forms, but the appearance of Lueckisporites confirms a Late Permian age for this assemblage. Assemblage 2 (PTBST) is marked by an abrupt decrease in palynomorph abundance and diversity, and thriving fungal/algal(?) spores. Assemblage 2 is still dominated by ferns and pteridosperms, with a few gymnosperms, but is characterized by a mixed palynoflora containing both Late Permian and Early Triassic elements. Most taxa are typical Late Permian ones also found in Assemblage 1, however, some taxa of Early Triassic aspect, e.g. Lundbladispora and Taeniaesporites, appeared for the first time. In Assemblage 3 (top Xuanwei Formation and Kayitou Formation), the proportion of gymnosperm pollen increases rapidly, exceeding that of ferns and pteridosperms, but the abundance of palynomorphs is still low. Typical Early Triassic taxa (such as Lundbladispora, Aratrisporites and Taeniaesporites) are present in greater abundance and confirms an Early Triassic age for this assemblage.     

The palaeoenvironment associated with a partial Iguanodon skeleton from the Upper Weald Clay (Barremian, Early Cretaceous) at Smokejacks Brickworks (Ockley, Surrey, UK), based on palynomorphs and ostracods

In 2001 a partial skeleton of an Iguanodon was discovered in the Upper Weald Clay (Barremian, Early Cretaceous) at Smokejacks Brickworks near Ockley, Surrey, UK. When the dinosaur was excavated, a detailed stratigraphic section was logged and 25 samples taken for palynological and micropalaeontological (ostracod and megaspore) analysis, including a detailed sample set of the dinosaur bed itself. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the palynoflora revealed rich and well-preserved non-marine assemblages of pollen and spores, including early angiosperms, and freshwater green algae. Four types of angiosperm pollen are described and assigned to the genus Retimonocolpites Pierce, 1961, but left in open nomenclature. Some marine elements such as dinoflagellate cysts are identified as the result of reworking of Middle and Upper Jurassic sediments. The pollen/spore assemblages depict a vegetational change from principally gymnosperm-dominated assemblages at the base to principally pteridophyte-dominated assemblages at the top of the section. The dinosaur bed shows a pteridophyte-dominated assemblage, with a significantly high amount of the freshwater green alga Scenedesmus novilunaris He Cheng-quan et al., 1992. Samples close to the dinosaur bed yielded the first useful ostracod finds from Smokejacks Brickworks: well-preserved assemblages containing Cypridea clavata (Anderson, 1939), Damonella cf. pygmaea (Anderson, 1941), Stenestroemia cf. cressida Anderson, 1971 and Stenestroemia sp. A, and fragments and damaged valves of a thin-shelled ostracod, possibly belonging to Mantelliana Anderson, 1966. Those identified as Cypridea clavata show a wide range of morphological variety and in opposition to Anderson's (1967, 1985) taxonomic scheme, which would assign them to up to five different taxa, they are considered to be intraspecific variants of a single species. The possibilities and limitations of age determination of the Wealden sediments using palynomorphs and ostracods are discussed; distinct forms of early angiosperm pollen, together with the ostracod fauna, are consistent with an early Barremian age. Pollen and spores are discussed in terms of their parent plants and the reconstruction of vegetation and palaeoclimate. Palynology and ostracods give evidence for temporary freshwater conditions at the time when the Iguanodon died and the carcase was buried.     

A snapshot into the terrestrial ecosystem of an exceptionally well-preserved dinosaur (Hadrosauridae) from the Upper Cretaceous of North Dakota,USA

A palynological investigation of sedimentary rocks enclosing an exceptionally well-preserved fossil dinosaur (Hadrosauridae) discovered in the upper part of the Hell Creek Formation in south western North Dakota was conducted in order to document the immediate paleoenvironment of this dinosaur. The specimen, an Edmontosaurus annectens is remarkable in having exceptional three-dimensional preservation of soft tissue around the skeleton, indicating rapid burial. A well-preserved palynological assemblage dominated by fern and bryophyte spores, with lesser gymnosperm and angiosperm pollen was recovered. Sparse fresh-water algae and marine dinoflagellate cysts were also recorded. The palynofacies is dominated by wood fragments, including charcoal, with little amorphous organic matter. The presence of some typical pollen taxa of the Wodehouseia spinata Assemblage Zone including Striatellipollis striatellus, Tricolpites microreticulatus, Leptopecopites pocockii as well as a diverse suite of Aquilapollenites, is fully consistent with a Late Cretaceous (late Maastrichtian) age. The palynoflora indicates a local vegetation composed of a canopy of conifers dominated by Pinaceae and a minor sub-canopy of Taxodium and cycads, as well as an understory of hydrophilous ferns, mosses and herbaceous angiosperms, indicative of a warm and humid climate – an environment where this specific hadrosaur roamed over 66 million years ago.