--> Abstract: Paleoclimatologic, Paleoecologic and Biostratigraphic Significance of the Middle Cretaceous Elaterate Microfloral Province, Gondwana, by G. D. Wood, M. A. Miller, D. T. Pocknall, A. M. Aleman, J. A. Stein, and R. Dino; #90933 (1998).

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Abstract: Paleoclimatologic, Paleoecologic and Biostratigraphic Significance of the Middle Cretaceous Elaterate Microfloral Province, Gondwana

Wood, Gordon D.; Merrell A. Miller; David T. Pocknall; Antenor M. Aleman & Jeffery A. Stein - Amoco E&P; and Rodolfo Dino - Petrobras/Cenpes

Distinct phytogeographic realms existed during Cretaceous time. One of the best defined is the Albian-Cenomanian elaterate microfloral province that brackets the Cretaceous paleoequator. This province is developed in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa and South America and includes outliers in China, the Middle East and Papua New Guinea.

The microflora is typified by the elater bearing pollen Elaterocolpites, Elateroplicites, Elateropollenites, Galeacornea and allied Senegalosporites and Sofrepites. Other characteristics include common ephedroid pollen (e.g., Ephedripites, Steevesipollenites, Gnetaceaepollenites), a rarity of fern spores, and an absence of bisaccates. This assemblage has been identified from over 35 countries and is recognized for its importance in biostratigraphy, paleoclimatology and paleobiogeography. The parent plants of elater bearing pollen appear to have inhabited paleotropical humid coastal plains of the Proto-South Atlantic and Tethyan oceans.

Documenting distribution of this floral province, including quantitative abundance data, will improve Cretaceous paleogeographic interpretations for use in petroleum exploration. Information from several databases (e.g., PalynoData) and new occurrences from Peru, Ecuador, Brazil and Angola are summarized in this paper.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90933©1998 ABGP/AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil