Palynostratigraphy from the Allen and Jagüel formations at the Cerro Gutiérrez locality, Lago Pellegrini area, South Argentina

Abstract

This work provides new stratigraphic information from the Allen and Jagüel formations (Neuqu´en Basin) at theCerro Guti´errez locality, Río Negro province. The distribution of palynomorphs allowed the definition of twopalynologic assemblages: A1 corresponding to the Allen Formation, and A2 from the Jagüel Formation. Thepresence of taxa such as Catinipollis geiseltalensis, Gabonisporis vigorouxii, Nevesisporites vallatus, Callialasporites,Gemmamonocolpites, and Quadraplanus brossus suggests a Maastrichtian age. Due to the presence in A1 ofQuadraplanus brossus, which range is Late Maastrichtian in Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica, the age of themiddle member of the Allen Formation, previously considered Late Campanian, could now be assigned to LateMaastrichtian. The palynoflora of the locality corresponds to the transitional paleoflora.