Palynology of the dinosaur beds of Tendaguru (Tanzania) — preliminary results

The Tendaguru Beds, southeastern Tanzania, have yielded two palynological assemblages of Kimmeridgian to Tithonian age: (1) the Anapiculatisporites ‐ Densoisporites ‐ Trisaccites assemblage from the Middle Saurian Beds and (2) the Barbatacysta ‐ Pareodinia assemblage from the overlying Smeei Beds. A third assemblage with Rhizophagites and rare angiosperm pollen from the Upper Saurian Beds is contaminated by recent and subrecent material. The Anapiculatisporites ‐ Densoisporites ‐ Trisaccites assemblage is characterized by the presence of freshwater algae ( Ovoidites ), pteridopyhtic‐bryophytic spores and gymnosperm (conifer) pollen, with Classopollis as the most abundant element. Among the rare elements of this assemblage is the questionable dinoflagellate Mendicodinium ? quadratum , possibly a Kimmeridgian‐Tithonian marker. The miospores show palaeobiogeographic links to Southern Gondwana, especially Madagascar, Australia, Argentina and India. Deposition of this assemblage took place in an aquatic environment with strong palynological influx from a terrestrial source and questionable marine influence. The Barbatacysta ‐ Pareodinia assemblage contains a considerable number of dinoflagellates suggesting deposition in a marine environment. The terrestrially‐derived miospores are impoverished and dominated by conifer pollen, while pteridophytic‐bryophytic spores form a very subordinate element or are absent.