Early angiosperm diversification in the Albian of southeast Australia: implications for flowering plant radiation across eastern Gondwana

• Published in: Review of palaeobotany and palynology Vol. 232; pp. 61 - 80
• Main Authors: Korasidis, Vera A., Wagstaff, Barbara E., Gallagher, Stephen J., Duddy, Ian R., Tosolini, Anne-Marie P., Cantrill, David J., Norvick, Martin S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2016
• Subjects: Angiosperm migration; Biostratigraphy; Cretaceous; Early angiosperms; Otway Basin; Palynology; Palynology; Otway Basin; Angiosperm migration; Cretaceous; Early angiosperms; Biostratigraphy
• ISSN: 0034-6667; 1879-0615
• DOI: 10.1016/j.revpalbo.2016.04.005

This study provides the first record of the high diversity and abundance of Victoria's earliest angiosperms from outcrops in the non-marine upper Eumeralla Formation of the Otway Basin. The biostratigraphic schemes established for the Albian of Australia are re-evaluated using more reliable and widespread index species, resulting in the construction of a high-resolution Albian biostratigraphy in the Otway Basin. New localities in the uppermost outcrop of the Eumerella Formation contain spore–pollen assemblages that cannot be placed in the existing scheme and a new Upper Phimopollenites pannosus Subzone is recognised. The correlation of the P. pannosus Zone to the geochronological timescale was re-assessed and shows that it is 103–101.51Ma, giving a late Albian age. In contrast to previous studies that record low diversity angiosperm assemblages in the Albian, this study identifies twenty-three angiosperm species, including one new species, Tricolpites tortuous. The high diversity and abundance of angiosperm pollen in the Otway Basin provides further evidence that angiosperms probably migrated into eastern Gondwana via South America and Antarctica. •Diverse assemblages of angiosperm pollen grains were recorded in Albian successions of SE Australia.•Angiosperm migration into Australia occurred via South America/Antarctica.•A high-resolution Albian palynostratigraphic framework was erected.•A new Upper Phimopollenites pannosus Subzone is recognised.•The P. pannosus Zone is interpreted as 103–101.51Ma.