Palynological and paleobotanical investigations of Paleogene sections in the Maoming basin, South China

Abstract

The complex paleobotanical investigations carried out in the Maoming sedimentary basin (Guangdong Province, South China) yielded first data on the taxonomic composition and ecological prop erties of two large paleofloras from the Youganwo and Huangniuling formations. The palynomorph assem blages from these formations indicate their middle-late Eocene age (Lutetian-Bartonian and Priabonian for the former and latter, respectively). It is shown that sediments of the Youganwo Formation were deposited in an intermittently swamped lacustrine-fluvial plain, which gave way to a freshwater lake. Vegetation of this period was represented by wet subtropical forests with evergreen Fagaceae, Lauraceae, and Palmae. The Hua ngniuling flora reflects the biome of seasonal tropical forests developed in a broad fluvial plain and its margins. The Eocene floras of the Maoming Basin are marked by the appearance of several recent plant genera, which is also evident from finds of remains of their reproductive structures. The Eocene flora from low latitudes of South China exhibits a notable share of floral elements from middle and high latitudes of East Asia.

Paleogene monsoons across India and South China: Drivers of biotic change

“…1, Fossil site 6) is a NW-orientated graben-like structure filled with Upper Cretaceous, Paleogene, and Neogene non-marine sediments (Nan and Zhou, 1996;Ye et al, 1996) (Wang et al, 1994) show the succession to have been deposited during normalpolarity magnetic zones (C18n-C11n) of the geomagnetic polarity time scale. This corresponds to an age range of 42 to 32 Ma (middle Eocene-early Oligocene) making the Maoming fossil assemblages featured in our study all middle Eocene to early Oligocene in age (Aleksandrova et al, 2015) (Fig. 2).…”

“…The lower part of the Youganwo Formation (70-150 m thick) consists of sandy conglomerates, sandstones, grey-green to purple-red clayey shales, and coal seams, while the upper part is dominated by dark grey to dark brown oil shales with subordinate yellowish brown mudstones alternating with coals (Aleksandrova et al, 2015). The remains of fish (Cyprinus maomingensis Liu), reptilians (Anosteria…”

“…The overlying Huangniuling Formation (60-200 m thick) consists of greyish yellow, grey-white, and pale red sandy conglomerates, sandstones, and greyish green mudstones, with intercalations of oil-and asphalt-bearing sandstones in the upper part (Aleksandrova et al, 2015). …”

“…as well as fish (Pychodus) (Zhou and Chen, 1988;Aleksandrova et al, 2015) are present in finer grained facies.…”

Earliest fossil fruit record of the genus Paliurus (Rhamnaceae) in Eastern Asia

“…The age of this formation has been extensively discussed: according to magnetostratigraphy, the Youganwo Formation is considered to be late Eocene (Wang et al, 1994); Jin (2008) also supports this age based on mammal fossils. However, on the basis of palynological analysis, the age of the Youganwo Formation should be middle Eocene (Aleksandrova et al, 2015). According to the evidence above, we consider the age of the lower part coal-bearing series of the Youganwo Formation is middle Eocene, and the upper part oil shale units is middle-late Eocene.…”