PALYNOLOGICAL ZONATION OF MID-PALAEOZOIC, NW SPAIN 



the laesurae, lips smooth, narrow, decreasing in width over the 

 thinner polar area, <I |im wide. Distal surface with a reticulum of 

 broad muri c.1-4 |im wide and c. 1 pm high, surrounding +/- 

 polygonal lumine 3-6 pm maximum width. 



Dimensions. 26^4 pm (52 specimens measured). 



Comparisons. The presence of an equatorial crassitude, proximal 

 kyrtome and distal reticulum, distinguish this species from 

 Knoxisporites 7 riondae CrameT &Diez 1975, the latter has a 'marked 

 concentrical ring' around the distal pole and distal warts (see Cramer 

 & Diez 1975: 341, reconstruction fig. 2.3, and distal focus of 

 holotype pi. 1, fig. 16). 



Remarks. The proximal surface is seen best under the SEM (PI. 6, 

 fig. 7b) but the kyrtomal thickenings and thin trilobed proximal 

 apical area are also seen under the light microscope. 



Occurrence. La Peral RS and lowermost H Biozone, La Vid RS 

 Biozone, and doubtful, poorly preserved specimens in upper EC and 

 lower MN Biozones; Upper Ludfordian and Pfidoli; possibly re- 

 worked in Upper Pfi'doli and Lower Lochkovian, Argovejo. 



Coronaspora subornata (Cramer & Diez) comb. nov. 



PI. 8, fig. 7 



Basionym. 

 pi. 1, fig. 7. 



Amicosporites subomalorCrSimtx &.T>{ez 1975: 338, 



1973 Spore type D; Richardson & loannides: 281, pi. 9, fig. 2. 

 1975 Amicosporites subornator Cramer & Diez: 338, pi. 1 , fig. 7. 

 1978c Amicosporites siibornotorCrair\er &D\tz: Rodriguez: 4 12- 



13,pl. 2,fig. 2. 

 1983 Amicosporites subornator Crame & Diez; Rodriguez: 30, 



pi. 3, fig. 13. 



Holotype. Cramer & Diez 1975; pi. 1, fig. 7; San Pedro Forma- 

 tion, Argovejo section. Province of Leon, Cantabrian Mountains, 

 northwest Spain. 



Diagnosis. 

 exine. 



A Coronaspora with a distal annulus and smooth 



Description. Amb subcircular to subtriangular with convex sides. 

 Spores preserved in polar compression, suggesting an original of 

 more or less lenticular shape. Exine with a distinct proximal kyrtome, 

 equatorial crassitude +/- smooth to irregularly thickened, and a 

 narrow distal annulus (c. 3 pm wide); annulus sinooth, and reaches to 

 c. 4/5 of the spore radius. Distal? pole surrounded by a dark ring 

 (?annulus). Trilete sutures reach the crassitude, which is invaginated 

 at the radial apices; lips smooth, distinct, and parallel-sided. 



153 



Dimensions. 30-40 jjm (Cramer & Diez. 1975); 31^4 |jm ( 14 

 specimens measured, present study). 



Comparisons. Differs from other members of the genus, with the 

 exception of C. infraoniata. in having a laevigate exine, C. infraomata 

 has a dark distal polar area. 



Remarks. Cramer & Diez (1975: 338) refer to the kyrtome as 

 'three segments of a circular inspissation" and a dark polar ring as a 

 proximal inspissation. The spores differ from typical members of the 

 genus Amicosporites because they have a distinct proximal kyrtome 

 (Cramer & Diez. 1975; fig. 2, 2) similar, if not identical, to those of 

 C. mariue and C. cromatica. We therefore transfer this species to 

 Coronaspora. 



Occurrence. La Peral EC Biozone, La Vid, uppermost H, or 

 lowermost EC Biozone, Argovejo, H Biozone; Middle and Upper 

 Pfidoli. 



Coronaspora infraomata (Rodriguez) comb. nov. 



PI. 8, fig. 9 



Basionym. Amocosporites infraornatits Rodriguez 1978b: 217, 

 pi. 1, figs 5, 6. 



1 978b Amocosporites infraornatits Rodriguez: 2 1 7, pi. 1 , figs 5, 6. 

 1978c Amocosporites infraornatus Rodriguez: 412, pi. 2, fig. 3. 

 1983 AmocosporitesinfraomatusRodr'\gue.z:29,^\. 2,figs 14, 16. 



Holotype. Rodriguez, 1978b: 217-18, pi. 1, figs 5. 6; San Pedro 

 Formation, Corniero section. Province of Leon, Cantabrian Moun- 

 tains, northwest Spain. 



Emended diagnosis. A Coronaspora with a distal annulus, smooth 

 exine, and a dark circular area over the distal pole. 



Description. Amb subcircular to subtriangular with convex sides. 

 Spores preserved in polar compression, suggesting an original of 

 more or less lenticular shape. Exine with a distinct proximal kyrtome, 

 equatorial crassitude +1- smooth to irregularly thickened, and a 

 narrow distal annulus; annulus smooth and 2-3 pm wide, reaches to 

 c. 4/5 of the spore radius. Distal pole surrounded by a circular dark 

 area. Trilete sutures reach the crassitude, which is invaginated at the 

 radial apices; lips smooth, distinct, and parallel-sided. 



Dimensions. 15-35 (rm Rodriguez (1978b); 25-47 \irr\ (25 speci- 

 mens measured, present study). 



Comparisons. Differs from Coronaspora subornata in having the 

 circular dark area at the distal pole. In the present study, forms with 

 a dark ring can be distinguished from those with a circular dark area 



PLATE 10 



Fig. 1 Chelinospora hemiesferica! (Cramer & Diez) comb. nov. BM 137697. proximal view, x 2000. Ger92/9/Dl. 



Fig. 2 ICymbosporites sp. A. BM 134646, proximal view, Ger92/2A. 



Fig. 3 Cymbosporites sp. B. Arg92/10: 3a, BM 130309. proximal/oblique view, x 2000; 3b, BM 130310. detail of sculpture showing some grana fused 



into groups, x 2500. 

 Figs 4, 5 Cymbosporites sp. 4a. BM 133533, Ger92/14. equatorial view; 4b, same specimen showing detail of multi-layered wall structure and acinot'onn 



sculpture of muri and microconi, x 2000; 5, sample Geras 92/8; 5a, BM 130610. equatorial view; 5b, BM 13061 1, detail of irregular distal coni. x 2000. 

 Fig. 6 Clwlinospora (Lophozonotriletesl) poecdomorplia (Richardson & loannides) comb. nov. 6a, BM 135046. oblique compression showing hilum and 



large distal verrucae. Ger92/2A; 6b, BM 141007, proximal view. LP10/DD2; 6c, BM 132242. distal view. Arg92/I3. BM I 16097; 6d, distal view showing 



discrete, rounded to flat-topped verrucae variable in size. LP92/I6. 

 Fig. 7 Cfielinospora (Lopliozonotriletes'}] poecilomorpha (Richardson & loannides) comb. nov. BM 141007, proximal view. LP92/10/DD2. 

 Fig. 8 Arcimicusporites torrestionensisl Rodriguez 1983. BM 1 30522. proximal/oblique view, Ger92/9. 

 Fig. 9 Cf. Pachytetras sp. Possible permanent cryptospore tetrad. Ger92/2B/2; 9a, BM 1 37274. tetrad showing rugulate distal sculpture; 9b, BM 1 37275. 



triple contact. 



All figs X 1000. unless stated otherwise. 



