The occurrence of the Complexiopollis-Atlantopollis zone (Palynomorphs) in the Eagle Ford Group (Upper Cretaceous) of Texas

Journal of Paleontology
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Abstract

The Lower and lower Upper Cretaceous palynological zones defined in the Atlantic Coastal Plain Province and which occur in the eastern Gulf Coastal Plain Province are characterized by a paucity of marine invertebrate fossils. As a result, correlation of these zones with European and provincial stages, as well as with other microfossil and megafossil zones is tenuous. However, an examination of a complete section of the Eagle Ford Group and adjacent strata in Texas reveals that: 1) the upper part of the Woodbine Formation and the Tarrant Formation of the overlying Eagle Ford Group represent a biostratigraphic interval that is absent in the Atlantic and eastern Gulf Coastal Plain Provinces; 2) the Complexiopollis-Atlantopollis Zone (zone IV of some authors) occurs within the Britton Formation (Eagle Ford Group), and is equivalent to the upper part of the Rotalipora cushmani-greenhornensis Subzone (planktic foraminifers) and possibly to the Sciponoceras gracile Zone (ammonites); 3) the Arcadia Park Formation (Eagle Ford Group) contains a mixed assemblage of palynomorphs that includes guides to both the Complexiopollis-Atlantopollis and the overlying Complexiopollis exigua-Santalacites minor Zones, suggesting that biostratigraphic equivalents of the Arcadia Park Formation are not represented in the Atlantic and eastern Gulf Coastal Plain Provinces; and 4) in the basal part of the Austin Chalk of Texas, only one guide palynomorph to the Complexiopollis-Atlantopollis Zone was recognized, but guides to the Complexiopollis exigua-Santalacites minor Zone are present. The Tuscaloosa Group of the eastern Gulf Coastal Plain appears to be biostratigraphically equivalent to the Complexiopollis-Atlantopollis Zone, and therefore correlative with the middle to upper part of the Britton Formation of the Eagle Ford Group.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title The occurrence of the Complexiopollis-Atlantopollis zone (Palynomorphs) in the Eagle Ford Group (Upper Cretaceous) of Texas
Series title Journal of Paleontology
Volume 56
Issue 2
Year Published 1982
Language English
Publisher SEPM Society for Sedimentary Geology
Description 17 p.
First page 525
Last page 541
Country United States
State Texas
Other Geospatial Eagle Ford Group
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