Biostratigraphy and evolution of the Momipites‐Caryapollenites lineage in the early tertiary in the Wind River Basin, Wyoming

Douglas J. Nichols; Henry L. Ott

doi:10.1080/01916122.1978.9989167

Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70221506

Biostratigraphy and evolution of the Momipites‐Caryapollenites lineage in the early tertiary in the Wind River Basin, Wyoming

Douglas J. Nichols·Henry L. Ott

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Sequential morphologic changes in pollen of the Momipites‐Caryapollenites lineage from Paleocene strata in the Wind River Basin of Wyoming appear to reflect evolution within the family Juglandaceae. The stratigraphic occurrence of the species within this complex permits the establishment of six biostratigraphic zones that can be correlated between outcropping and subsurface sequences within the basin and to surrounding areas. Trends involving changes in shape and size of the pollen and in structure of exine at the poles proceed from a basic form of Momipites to six other distinguishable species. The genus Caryapollenites appears to have been derived from the basic form of Momipites by changes in size and development of heteropolarity in pore position. Species of Momipites described as new are M. wyomingensis, M. waltmanensis, M. ventifluminis, M. actinus, M. anellus, and M, leffingwellii. The genus Caryapollenites is redescribed and C. prodromus, C. imparalis, C. inelegans, and C. wodehousei are described as new.

Explore related subjects

Palynology Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 41.77131167976407° to 44.59046718130883° latitude; -110.21484375° to -104.58984375° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

Douglas J. Nichols, Henry L. Ott. 1978. Biostratigraphy and evolution of the Momipites‐Caryapollenites lineage in the early tertiary in the Wind River Basin, Wyoming. https://doi.org/10.1080/01916122.1978.9989167

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2026

Atlas of pollen and spores from forests and wetlands in the mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain, USA

This atlas includes descriptions and illustrations of pollen and spores from plant species found in the mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain of the United States of America, with a focus on taxa that grow in or near riparian wetlands. We include light micrographs and detailed descriptions of 141 species spanning 106 genera and 69 families. This atlas was compiled to facilitate the identification of palynomorphs from sedimentary archives in the mid-Atlantic region. We include both wetland taxa and those from surrounding uplands that may be deposited in wetland sediments.

North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia↗

USGS2022

Biostratigraphically significant palynofloras from the Paleocene–Eocene boundary of the USA

Pollen and spores were recovered from the Paleocene Fort Union Formation and Paleocene–Eocene Willwood Formation of the Bighorn Basin (BHB), northwestern Wyoming, USA. In many local stratigraphic sections in the BHB, the base of the Eocene has been identified by the characteristic negative carbon isotope excursion (CIE) that marks the beginning of the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). The palynotaxa from outcrop samples were examined using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Seven new species are formally described ( Tricolpites vegrandis , Rousea spatium , Striatricolporites astutus , Striatopollis calidarius , Friedrichipollis geminus , Retistephanocolporites modicrassus and Retistephanocolporites pergrandis ). The temporal and geographic distributions of many of these palynotaxa suggest that hotter and more seasonally dry climates facilitated their northward range shifts during the PETM from the tropics or subtropics of the USA. For the temperate palynotaxa, the hotter and seasonally dry conditions resulted in local extirpation. A re-evaluation of the palynostratigraphic schemes established for the Paleocene–Eocene boundary confirms that the first appearance of Platycarya platycaryoides denotes the Paleocene–Eocene boundary in the Rocky Mountains region. A new Striatopollis calidarius Subzone, associated with early Wasatchian (Wa) Wa-0 and Wa-R faunas, is also recognized for CIE body localities in the BHB.

Wyoming↗

USGS2017

Floristic and climatic reconstructions of two Lower Cretaceous successions from Peru

Climate during the Early Cretaceous in tropical South America has often been reconstructed as arid. However, some areas seem to have been humid. We reconstructed the floristic composition of two tropical stratigraphic successions in Peru using quantitative palynology (rarefied species richness and abundance), and used the abundance of aridity vs. humidity indicator species to infer the predominant climate conditions of this region. The Berriasian to Hauterivian La Merced succession was dominated by fern spores and was predominantly humid. The Albian Aguas Frias succession yielded rich palynofloras, with 127 species, and also indicates predominantly humid conditions. These results support the hypothesis that the west margin of South America was humid during the Early Cretaceous, thus improving the tropical climate reconstructions during the Cretaceous severe global warming episodes.

Palynology↗