Abstract

ARCHANGELSKY, Ana  and  LLORENS, Magdalena. Palynology of the kachaike formation, lower cretaceous of the austral basin, Santa Cruz province: Gymnosperm pollen grains. Ameghiniana [online]. 2009, vol.46, n.2, pp.225-234. ISSN 1851-8044.

Eighteen species of gymnosperm dispersed pollen grains from the Kachaike Formation, Lower Cretaceous of the Austral Basin, Santa Cruz Province, were identified. The most important families represented are the Cheirolepidiaceae, Podocarpaceae, Araucariaceae and Ephedraceae. Several characteristics found in Callialasporites Dev and Cyclusphaera Elsik are analyzed. Gymnosperms represent the most important group within the palynoflora. A remarkable difference between the mega and microflora registers of pteridosperms, Bennettitales, Cycadales and Ginkgoales, but not with the conifers, is established. General conclusions about the principal families of gymnosperms are presented.

Keywords : Palynology; Gymnosperm pollen grains; Systematics; Lower Cretaceous; Santa Cruz Province; Argentina.