First palynological record for the Lebombo Basin, South Africa with implications for Guadalupian (middle Permian) palaeofloras and palaeoenvironments

Abstract

The Permian Emakwezini Formation (Adelaide Subgroup, Beaufort Group, Karoo Supergroup) of the Lebombo Basin in northeastern South Africa, has previously yielded two macrofloras comprising mostly Glossopteridales and sphenophyte taxa. Here we describe a palynological association from the Somkhele Mine locality in KwaZulu-Natal, the first recorded for the Emakwezini Formation, and for the basin as a whole. The association consists of a palynoflora with a good to fair quality of preservation, from which 142 species are identified. Elements of stratigraphic value are highlighted (e.g., Falcisporites stabilis, Guttulapollenites hannonicus, inter alia), which, when contrasted with the palynostratigraphic schemes known for the Main Karoo Basin and neighbouring basins, suggest a Guadalupian age for the deposits. Furthermore, the microflora points to a higher plant diversity than documented in the macrofloral record. The occurrence of Filicophyta, Lycophyta, Cordaitales, Coniferales, Peltaspermales and Voltziales, suggests the presence of complex forests, with a diversity of tree taxa. These inferences about the parent flora have expanded our understanding of the forests in the Lebombo Basin during Permian times and have helped to clarify the temporal and regional floristic relationships of floras in the Main Karoo Basin.