An Early Permian palynoflora from Milorgfjella, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

• Published in: Antarctic Science
• Main Authors: Larsson, Kent, Lindström, Sofie, Guy-Ohlson, Dorothy
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1990
• Subjects: Antarc*; Antarctic Science; Antarctica; Dronning Maud Land
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0954102090000463; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0954102090000463

A preliminary palynological study of Beacon Supergroup sedimentary rocks exposed at Milorgfjella, Dronning Maud Land, has yielded a relatively rich and well preserved palynoflora dominated by spores and pollen grains, but also including acritarchs and green algae. The palynoflora is dominated by the pterophyte spores Punctatisporites gretensis, Punctatisporites parvus, Granulatisporites spp., Microbaculispora tentula Horriditriletes spp. and Verrucosisporites andersonii , and the gymnosperm pollen grains Plicatipollenites spp. and Cannanoropollis spp. Also present are the lycopod spore Jayantisporites pseudozonatus , the praecolpate pollen grain Marsupipollenites striatus and the monocolpate pollen grain Cycadopites cymbatus . The palynoflora indicates freshwater conditions or, at least, a major freshwater influence on the depositional environment. Comparison of the palynoflora with others from Gondwana suggests an Early Permian (Asselian–Sakmarian) age.