MISSISSIPPIAN PALYNOFLORA FROM THE CLARKE RIVER BASIN, NORTH QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

Abstract

The diverse, well-preserved spore assemblage hosted by the non-marine Lyall Formation of the Clarke River Basin in north Queensland includes many species reported previously from Mississippian strata elsewhere in Australia, together with one new genus and species (Apricasporites cancellosus) and seven additional new species (Granulatisporites commutabilis, Anapiculatisporites radiatus, Camptotriletes inaequabilis, C. suggrandis, Convolutispora inreligata, Foveosporites magnus, and Endosporites circumsaeptus). In terms of the existing palynostratigrahic zonation of Australian Mississippian successions, the palynoflora is clearly attributable to the Visean Anapiculatisporites largus Zone, first recognized in the Bonaparte Basin (northwestern Australia) and well-represented also in the Drummond Basin, east-central Queensland. However, a few constituent species are known as components of the succeeding Grandispora maculosa Zone (mid/late Visean–early Serpukhovian). This study provides confirmation of floristic affinities between Eastern and Western Gondwana during the Mississippian.