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OFR 151.pdf - CRC LEME

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3. TIME SLICE K-3<br />

Age Range: Cenomanian [97.5-91 Ma]<br />

Zones: Plicatella (al. Appendicisporites) distocarinatus Zone<br />

Xenascus asperatus to Palaeohystrichophora infusorioides Zones<br />

3.1 Macrofloras<br />

The only detailed macrofloral evidence for Cenomanian climates comes from the eastern<br />

Eromanga Basin in central southwestern Queensland. At this time, the region was located at<br />

about 60 0 S and relatively close to the palaeo-eastern margin.<br />

3.1.1 North-West Australia<br />

No known record.<br />

3.1.2 North-East Australia<br />

No known record.<br />

3.1.3 Central Australia<br />

1. Eromanga Basin<br />

Macrofossils preserved in the Winton Formation in central southwestern Queensland<br />

(McLoughlin et al. 1995b) include Araucariaceae, Taxodiaceae (including Austrosequoia),<br />

Podocarpaceae, Ginkgo, pteridosperms/Pentoxylales (Taeniopteris), sphenopsids (the<br />

youngest record in Australia) and ground ferns (Gleicheniaceae, Osmundaceae). Also present<br />

are leaves from eight broadleaf angiosperms. These are mostly of (possibly deciduous)<br />

betulaceous-fagaceous affinity. The communities these represent appear to be transitional<br />

between the gymnosperm (Austral Conifer Forest) and angiosperm-dominated floras in<br />

central Australia.<br />

Inferred climate<br />

Conditions appear to have been wet (humid-perhumid), possibly due to rivers draining the<br />

ranges along the (uplifted) eastern margin. Temperature are likely to have been seasonally<br />

cool (microtherm range) in winter due to the relatively high latitude (~60 0 S) but there is no<br />

mineralogical evidence for ice.<br />

3.1.4 South-West Australia<br />

No known record.<br />

3.1.5 Central southern Australia<br />

No known record.<br />

3.1.6 South-East Australia<br />

No known record.<br />

181

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