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OFR 151.pdf - CRC LEME

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2. Officer Basin<br />

Dinoflagellates indicate that Early Cretaceous palynofloras from the Samuel Formation,<br />

Officer Basin, are possible Barremian to Early Aptian (cf. Kemp 1976a, Backhouse 1988).<br />

Podocarps (Microcachrys, Podocarpus-Prumnopitys) are abundant, cryptogams are common,<br />

cheirolepidiacean conifers are uncommon and cycads are rare.<br />

Inferred climate<br />

The combined data confirm humid conditions extended along (and inland from) the palaeonorthwestern<br />

margin. Temperatures are presumed to have been equable (lower mesotherm)<br />

relative to regions at higher palaeolatitudes or within the centre of the continent due to the<br />

marine influence.<br />

1.2.5 Central southern Australia<br />

1. Southern Eromanga Basin<br />

Latest Jurassic to basal Valanginian microfloras from the Ooldea Range district in south-west<br />

South Australia, are dominated by spores (Alley et al. 1996). Major taxa include lycopods<br />

(19%), Osmundaceae (18%), and Cyatheaceae (13%). Gymnosperms are uncommon with<br />

Microcachrys (6%), Araucariaceae (9%) and Cheirolepidaceae (5%) being the only prominent<br />

taxa.<br />

2. Duntroon Basin<br />

Foraminisporis wonthaggiensis Zone assemblages occur in the Troas-1 and Vivonne-1 wells,<br />

drilled in the offshore Duntroon Basin, eastern Bight (Morgan and Hooker 1993a, 1993b).<br />

Dominant taxa are Cyatheaceae (Cyathidites) and pteridosperms (Alisporites). Common taxa<br />

include lycopods (Ceratosporites/Nevesisporites, Retitriletes), ferns such as Osmundaceae<br />

(Osmundacites), and a podocarp (Microcachrys).<br />

Inferred climate<br />

Both areas were located at a palaeolatitude of ~65 0 S, close to or within the developing<br />

Australo-Antarctic Rift System, which then formed the palaeo-western margin. The high<br />

relative abundance of cryptogams to gymnosperms is atypical and it is possible that the mild<br />

conditions (humid, lower mesotherm) reflect the presence of freshwater lakes or marine<br />

environments to the palaeo-north, in the Valanginian.<br />

1.2.6 South-East Australia<br />

1. Otway and Gippsland Basins<br />

Microfloras preserved in the Gippsland and Otway Basins have been a focus for<br />

palynostratigraphic research for the past ~40 years (Dettmann 1963, Wagstaff and McEwen<br />

Mason 1989) but few quantitative data are available for the Berriasian to Barremian.<br />

Inferred climate<br />

Dettmann et al. (1992) have concluded that rift valleys in southeastern Australia were more<br />

densely vegetated (possibly forested) than the Eromanga and Surat Basins despite the similar<br />

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