A review of the Triassic pollen Staurosaccites: systematic and phytogeographical implications

• Published in: Grana
• Main Authors: Peng, Jungang（彭俊刚）, Slater, Sam M., Vajda, Vivi
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: TAYLOR & FRANCIS AS 2021
• Subjects: Onslow Microflora; Ipswich Microflora; palynology; bisaccate pollen; conifer; phytogeography; Anisian; Gondwana; Laurasia; Xizang (Tibet) China; CENTRAL TRANSANTARCTIC MOUNTAINS; SOUTHERN XIZANG TIBET; CHINLE FORMATION; STRATOTYPE SECTION; VICTORIA LAND; NEW-MEXICO; MIDDLE; PALYNOSTRATIGRAPHY; BASIN; Plant Sciences; Transantarctic Mountains; Victoria Land
• Online Access: http://ir.nigpas.ac.cn/handle/332004/39942; http://ir.nigpas.ac.cn/handle/332004/39943; https://doi.org/10.1080/00173134.2021.1944301

Staurosaccites, a highly distinctive pollen genus, ranges from the late Anisian (Pelsonian; Middle Triassic) to the Norian, at low to mid latitudes, globally. Here we review the systematic taxonomy and spatial and temporal ranges of Staurosaccites. We provide an emendation to S. tharipatharensis, synonymise S. minutus with the type species S. quadrifidus, and retain the species S. quadrifidus, S. tharipatharensis, S. densus and S. marginalis. Following comparison with morphologically similar pollen and environmental reconstructions of the habitat of its parent plant, we hypothesise that Staurosaccites was produced by a conifer that was likely adapted to warm and humid conditions. Based on occurrences of diagnostic taxa for the Onslow and Ipswich microfloral provinces in the Southern Hemisphere (Staurosaccites, Camerosporites, Enzonalasporites, Infernopollenites and Ovalipollis), we show that these palynofloras were established in the Middle Triassic. Our findings further suggest that, based on the presence of diagnostic taxa in western Laurasia and their absence in eastern Laurasia, western and eastern Laurasia represent different palynofloral provinces in the Middle Triassic.