Palynostratigraphy of the Early Paleogene at the Laguna Manantiales locality, Southern Golfo San Jorge Basin, Argentina

MIRTA QUATTROCCHIO; AGÜERO L.; ARI IGLESIAS; RAIGEMBORN M. SOL

PUBLICACION ESPECIAL - ASOCIACION PALEONTOLOGICA ARGENTINA

ASOCIACIÓN PALEONTOLÓGICA ARGENTINA

Año: 2024 vol. 24 p. 108 - 128

0328-347X

This study focuses on the early Paleogene deposits of the southernmost Golfo San Jorge Basin (central Patagonia, Argentina), cropping out at Laguna Manantiales locality. Based on palynological and sedimentological features, a new continental stratigraphic unit, informally named as Laguna Manantiales Strata, is here defined. The sporomorphs record provides evidence of subtropical forests. The syncolporate pollen grains comparable to those of Senna pendula, are mentioned for the first time in Argentina. Based on the presence of Malvacipollis diversus, Bombacacidites isoreticulatus, Cricotriporites guianensis and the similarity in the pollen grains composition the identified palynological assemblage can be associated to the34Patagonian palynofloras from the late Paleocene–early Eocene Ligorio Márquez Formation and the early Eocene Laguna del Hunco. Thus, the proposed age for Laguna Manantiales Strata can be constrained between the late Paleocene and the early Eocene.The records of Huanilipollis cabrerae, H. crisci, and Mutisiapollis sp. in Laguna Manantiales Strata, confirm the early development for Mutisioideae for the early Paleogene in Patagonia. The pronounced climatic warming during the late Paleocene and the early Eocene influenced the diversification of Asteraceae in Patagonia.