Palynology of the uppermost Ordovician-Lower Devonian deposits in the Central and Eastern Taurides, Turkey: Taxonomy, biostratigraphy, paleobiogeography, and sequence stratigraphic interpretations

2024-1-16
Tanrıkulu, Sinem
The main scope of this study is to construct the biostratigraphical framework of the uppermost Ordovician-Lower Devonian succession in the Taurides with palynological analyses and biozonation. Nine sections were measured, and recovered palynomorph assemblages were studied in detail. The studied sections include the Halit Yaylası, Pusçu Tepe, Yukarı Yayla, and Ayıtepesi formations in the Eastern Taurides, and their equivalents in the Central Taurides. This study is a pioneering biostratigraphic study for the Early Devonian (Lochkovian) palynomorph assemblages (chitinozoans, acritarchs, and spores) and biozonation in the Tauride Belt. Additionally, a poor Silurian palynomorph assemblage and a rather moderately abundant latest Ordovician palynomorph assemblage are presented for the Central and Eastern Taurides. As a result, six biozones were recognized in the measured sections. These biozones are Armoricochitina nigerica Taxon Range Biozone, Pterochitina perivelata Taxon vi Range Biozone, Pterochitina megavelata Interval Biozone, Streelispora newportensis Interval Biozone, Emphanisporites micrornatus var. micrornatus Interval Biozone, and Emphanisporites micrornatus var. sinuosus Interval Biozone in stratigraphically ascending order. Taxonomical identification of 156 palynomorph species (43 chitinozoans, 61 acritarchs, 34 spores, 16 with algal affinities, and 2 incertae sedis taxa) were documented in detail. The Ordovician-Silurian boundary was delineated by the stratigraphical distribution of the Late Ordovician taxa, and it was supported by the δ13Corg curve in the Halevikdere Section. The Silurian-Devonian boundary was delineated by the first occurrence of the Lochkovian palynomorph assemblages in the Halevikdere Section. Examples of one of the earliest plant spores (cryptospores and trilete spores) were observed in the uppermost Ordovician successions in the Taurides.
Citation Formats
S. Tanrıkulu, “Palynology of the uppermost Ordovician-Lower Devonian deposits in the Central and Eastern Taurides, Turkey: Taxonomy, biostratigraphy, paleobiogeography, and sequence stratigraphic interpretations,” Ph.D. - Doctoral Program, Middle East Technical University, 2024.