OFR 151.pdf - CRC LEME

that Nothofagus (Brassospora) spp. remained common in the regional vegetation of inland
Tasmania during the Early Eocene warm period.
3. West Coast
Upper Malvacipollis diversus-Proteacidites asperopolus Zone Equivalent assemblages
recovered from Cape Sorell-1 and co-eval sediments deposited on the continental slope and
abyssal plain off the west coast (M.K. Macphail unpubl. data) are dominated by
Casuarinaceae and Proteaceae associated with frequent Euphorbiaceae (Austrobuxus-type),
Cupanieae and Nothofagus (Brassospora, Fuscospora). Rare taxa include: Alangiaceae,
Anacolosa (Anacolosidites acutullus, A. luteoides, A. rotundus ms), Ascarina,
Convolvulaceae (Wilsonia), Compositoipollenites, the putative eucalypt Myrtaceidites tenuis,
Nypa, Santalum, Strasburgeriaceae and Tiliaceae. Araucariaceae (Araucaria) is common near
the base of the late Early Eocene interval where rare taxa also include Anacolosa
(Anacolosidites luteoides) and a genus of palms (Longapertites) previously only recorded in
Early Eocene deposits in central and northern Australia.
Slightly younger (Proteacidites asperopolus Zone) microfloras from Regatta Point are
dominated by Casuarinaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Proteaceae (including frequent Proteacidites
grandis), associated with frequent Nothofagus (Nothofagidites emarcidus-heterus),
Trimeniaceae (Periporopollenites demarcatus) and extinct podocarp shrubs (Podosporites
spp.) (Macphail et al. 1993, M.K. Macphail unpubl. data). Rare taxa with modern
mesotherm-megatherm affinities include Anacolosa (Anacolosidites rotundus ms), Palmae
(Arecipites, Dicolpopollis), Ascarina, Cunoniaceae, Dysoxlum, Myrtaceidites tenuis,
Freycinetia, Ilex, Loranthaceae (Gothanipollis), Meliaceae and Strasburgeriaceae
(Bluffopollis scabratus). Mangroves include Nypa (frequent), Acrostichum-type, Sonneratiatype
(Florschuetzia levipoli) and, probably, Brownlowia (Tiliaceae).
4. East Coast
The probable Early Eocene microflora at Buckland is dominated by Nothofagus
(Brassospora), Podocarpus-Prumnopitys and unidentified tricolporate types, with low (< 5%)
amounts of Araucaria, Dacrydium, Proteaceae and Myrtaceae. Rare taxa include
Dacrycarpus, Ephedra, Lagarostrobos, Phyllocladus, Agathis/Wollemia), Ascarina
(Clavatipollenites sp.), Cunoniaceae, Elaeocarpaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Ilex, and a
spinizonocolpate pollen type, which may or may not be related to Nypa. Like the Deloraine
site, the microflora is evidence that Nothofagus (Brassospora) spp. remained common in the
regional vegetation of inland Tasmania during the Early Eocene warm period.
5. South-east
A probable early Early Eocene (Lower Malvacipollis diversus Zone Equivalent) is preserved
at the Styx River in the south-east (M.K. Macphail unpubl. results). Pollen dominance is
shared between some five taxa, of which Podocarpaceae (40%), Araucariaceae (12%) and
Myrtaceae (Eugenia-type) are the most abundant – Araucaria (10%), Agathis/Wollemia (2%),
Podocarpus-Prumnopitys (24%), Podosporites (15%) and Eugenia-type (8%). Frequent taxa
are Proteaceae (5%), Nothofagus (Brassospora) spp. (4%), Dacrydium (3%), Ericales (3%)
and ferns (chiefly Cyathidites). Unidentified tricolporate types and Compositoipollenites
reach values of 8% and 3% respectively. Uncommon to rare taxa include Sphagnum,
Lycopodiaceae, Dicksonia, Ephedra, a possible pteridosperm (Alisporites simplis),
Podocarpaceae (Dacrycarpus, Lagarostrobos, Microcachrys, Phyllocladus), Casuarinaceae,
Cunoniaceae (Gillbeea-type), Euphorbiaceae, Myrtaceae (Austromyrtus-type), Nothofagidites
(Fuscospora, Lophozonia, Nothofagus), diverse Proteaceae and Restionaceae (Milfordia
homeopunctata).
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