Cretaceous Pollen and Dinoflagellate Fossils from the Surat Basin

72 species of spores and 60 species of dinoflagellates were documented in this study of Aptian to Albian age sediments from the Surat Basin in Australia. The Australian Ocean Data Network hosts this palynological research, which includes descriptions of 17 new species and form groups. The work analyzes fossil assemblages to reconstruct past environments and palaeogeography.

Use Cases

• Classify fossil spores like Lycopodiacidites dettmannae and pollen grains like Clavatipollenites hughesii for biostratigraphic dating of Aptian-Albian sediments.
• Analyze dinoflagellate cyst assemblages, including genera like Cleistosphaeridium and Odontochitina, to infer past marine conditions in the Surat Basin.
• Track the first appearance of angiosperm pollen grains, such as Asteropollis asteroids and tricolpate forms, within the defined spore-pollen zones to study plant evolution.
• Use proportional abundance data of spore, pollen, dinoflagellate, and acritarch groups to model fluctuations in terrestrial versus marine influence over time.

Strengths

• Documents 38 genera and 72 species of spores, 18 genera and 21 species of pollen, and 35 genera and 60 species of dinoflagellates.
• Defines clear biostratigraphic zones for spores/pollen and dinoflagellates, providing a structured temporal framework.
• Proposes 17 new species and form groups, contributing to taxonomic knowledge of Cretaceous microfossils.

Limitations

• Primary data format is a PDF/HTML study report, not a structured, machine-readable table of fossil counts.
• Sample size and row count for individual fossil observations are not provided, limiting statistical analysis.
• Geographic coverage is restricted to the Surat Basin in southeastern Australia, limiting broader regional application.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Palynological analysis of sediment samples, including systematic taxonomy and biostratigraphic zonation.

Time Range

Aptian to middle Albian age (Lower Cretaceous, approximately 125-100 million years ago).

Freshness

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Geography

Surat Basin in southeastern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales, Australia.