University of Southampton OCS (beta), AASP Southampton 2011

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Paleoecological and paleoclimatical investigation of the Cretaceous- Paleocene strata of the Muglad Basin, Sudan
Ali Ahmed Mohamed Eisawi, Awad B. Ibrahim

Last modified: 2011-08-31

Abstract


Palynoflora analysis of fifty-six samples from the Muglad Basin revealed the presence of terrestrially-derived palynomorphs dominated by diverse and well preserved pteridophyte-bryophyte spores, gymnosperms and less amount of angiosperm pollen. The association of abundant fern spores and Araucariaceae pollen in the Neocomian/Barremian through Albian might hint towards the presence of araucarian forests with herbaceous elements usually found along rivers or nearby freshwater lakes. Other possible members of the local lacustrine phytoplankton include Botryococcus sp., Ovoidites sp. and the freshwater dinocyst "Holmwoodinium notatum". These often occur in low/high abundance in Early to mid-Cretaceous assemblages in the study area. Ephedroid pollen and Classopollis consistently reported from Neocomian/Barremian through Albian/Cenomanian suggests seasonal or hinterland aridity, within the wide spread humid conditions. A late Cenomanian-Turonian dry period is also supported by the drastic decrease in the pteridophytic, hygrophilous elements at that time. A shift towards hot humid condition is evident during the Maastrichtian and Paleocene due to the existence of pollen assigned to Palmae group.


Keywords


Cretaceous; Paleocene; spores; pollen; paleoecology; Muglad Basin; Sudan