Title: MIDDLE JURASSIC PALYNOFLORA FROM THE TAERGA FORMATION IN THE TARIM BASIN,XINJIANG AND ITS BEARINGS ON STRATIGRAPHY AND PALAEOGEOGRAPHY
Abstract: The Jurassic system is extensively developed in the Tarim Basin,Xinjiang,and is particularly well-outcropped in the Kuqa Depression and SW Tarim region.The Triassic and Jurassic palynofloras in the Kuqa Depression are intensively investigated,however,little attention was paid for fossil palynomorphs in SW Tarim region.Here we report 48 species of spores and pollen referred to 33 genera from the Middle Jurassic Taerga Formation in the southwestern region of the Tarim Basin,Xinjiang.The sporopollen assemblage of the Taerga Formation is characterized by the dominance of the cheirolepidiaceous pollen of Coniferales and the abundance of cyatheaceous spores of Filicales.The index species of this assemblage are represented by a varietry of fossil spores and pollen with Jurassic aspects.The present assemblage is comparable with those of the Bajocian to Bathonian of West Europe and Russia as well as those of the Bajocian to Callovian of North America and Australia.This assemblage is also comparable with those of the Tikmak Formation in Kuqa of the Tarim Basin,the Zhiluo Formation in Yan'an of Shaanxi Province,and the Shaximiao Formation in Xingshan of Hubei Province of China.Our palynological evidence suggests that the age of the Taerga Formation is of late Middle Jurassic,corresponding to the Bathonian to Callovian.In addition,the palaeogeographical implications of this palynoflora are discussed.Our palynotogical evidence supports the division scheme of the western part of boundary between Northern and Southern Floristic Provinces,i.e.the Wuqia of SW Tarim is located in southern of the boundary,whereas Kuqa is located in northern of the boundary.
Publication Year: 2008
Publication Date: 2008-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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