Palynostratigraphic considerations on the Pennsylvanian interglacial microflora from Monte Mor (SP), Itararé Group, NE, Paraná Basin (Brazil) and its diachronic correlations with Indian Gondwana microflora

Abstract

In the present communication the palynological contents of the Monte Mor taphoflora has been restudied in surface samples from the upper and lower levels of the coal beds from this type-locality and its Interval palynozone position has been reinterpreted and revised. Four palynological Interval zones were recognized from the Upper Palaeozoic Brazilian Paraná Basin by Souza (2000, 2006) and Souza & Marques-Toigo (2001, 2003, 2005), where Monte Mor microflora was placed in the lowermost Ahrensisporites cristatus Interval Zone (tentatively Late Bashkirian to Kazimovian). On the basis of presence of Crucisaccites monoletus, Divarisaccus spp., Faunipollenites (=Protohaploxypinus) amplus, Faunipollenites sp., Scheuringipollenites maximus, Platysaccus sp. and Scheuringipollenites maximus in the recovered microflora it is suggested that Monte Mor palynoflora belongs to Crucisaccites monoletus Interval Zone, which is contrary to the earlier studies which indicated that the Monte Mor palynoassemblage belongs to Ahrensisporites cristatus Interval Zone.