Permian stratigraphy and palynology of the Lower Karoo Group in Mozambique – a 2020 perspective

Abstract

. In the past decade, the increase in the number of palynological works in Mozambique documents the significance of palynology in dating the late Palaeozoic basins in this region of southwestern Gondwana. The new information gained mainly from the study of the Moatize-Minjova Coal Basin is the basis for a better understanding of the regional biostratigraphy, as well as of palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic conditions during the Permian. Here we provide a review on the Permian palynostratigraphy and its implications for lithostratigraphic correlation of Lower Karoo basins in Mozambique. The new biostrati-graphic information leads to the conclusion that an age update for the lithostratigraphic units established for the Lower Karoo in Mozambique (Vúzi, Moatize, and Matinde formations) is most needed. The Cisuralian palynological association in Mozambique is characterized by long-range taxa recorded since the middle Cisuralian (Sakmarian to Artinskian) ( Alisporites spp., Cannanoropollis spp., Horriditriletes spp., Laevi-gatosporites spp., Potonieisporites spp., Protohaploxypinus spp.). Several first occurrences are also recorded in the late Cisuralian (Kungurian) (e. g., Cirratriradites africanensis , Marsupipollenites triradiatus , and Vittatina spp.). The Guadalupian association is mainly characterized by taxa that extend their range since the Cisuralian (e. g., Alisporites spp., Cirratriradites africanensis , Guttulapollenites hannonicus , Horriditriletes ramosus , Kraeuselisporites enormis , Lueckisporites virkkiae , Limitisporites monstruosus , Marsupipollenites striatus , M. triradiatus , Pakhapites fusus , Platysaccus papilionis , Thymospora pseudothiessenii