Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous palynostratigraphy of the onshore Mandawa Basin, southeastern Tanzania

• Published in: Review of palaeobotany and palynology Vol. 258; pp. 248 - 255
• Main Authors: Smelror, Morten, Fossum, Katrine, Dypvik, Henning, Hudson, Wellington, Mweneinda, Amina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2018
• ISSN: 0034-6667; 1879-0615
• DOI: 10.1016/j.revpalbo.2018.09.001

New palynostratigraphic data are presented for Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous formations of the Mandawa Basin, southeastern Tanzania. A Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian‑Tithonian) age is confirmed for the Kipatimu Formation, from which the terrestrial sporomorphs allow a rough correlation to the mid Oxfordian‑Tithonian Classopollis‑Araucariacites‑Shanbeipollenits Assemblage Zone. A dinoflagellate cyst assemblage recorded in the Mitole Formation correlates to the Dingodinium jurassicum–Kilwacysta assemblage as described from the Tithonian Trigonia smeei Bed of the Tendaguru Hill, southeast Tanzania. Dinoflagellate cyst assemblages in the upper Nalwehe Formation contain species typical of the Hauterivian‑Barremian, while the Kihuluhulu Formation contains marine microfloras of Aptian to Albian ages. The palynological records confirm the presence of sediments related to profound marine transgressions and subsequent sea-level high-stands in the Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian‑Tihonian) and in the late Early Cretaceous (Aptian‑Albian). •The Late Jurassic Jurassic and Early Cretaceous formations are dated by palynomorphs.•The Kipatimu Fm is Kimmeridgian-Tithonian and the middle Mitole Fm Tithonian in age.•A Hauterivian-Barremian in inferred for the Nalwehe Fm.•The Kihuluhulu Fm contains Aptian–Albian palynomorphs of Aptian‑Albian age.•Marine transgressions occurred in the Kimmeridgian‑Tihonian and in the Apt-Albian.