Palynomorphs from the Trambesh Formation, lower Aptian, Central North Bulgaria

Abstract

First record of early angiosperm pollen from the lower Aptian sediments in the Butovo section, Central North Bulgaria is documented. It is represented by monocolpate crotonoid grains attributed to the Stellatopollis genus and the species Stellatopollis barghoornii Doyle, Van Campo, Lugardon, 1975. The encountered sporomorph association also includes abundant gymnosperm pollen from the Classopollis and Araucariacites genera as well as a variety of pteridophyte spores from the Cretaceous genera Appendicisporites, Cicatri­cosisporites, Bikolisporites, Trilobosporites, Klukisporites and Deltoidospora. The palynological association indicates that the studied area was part of the ––Southern Laurasian floral province. The persistent record of pteriodophyte spores in the assemblages with the relatively abundant gymnosperm pollen from the Classopollis group suggests a warm and relatively less humid climate for this part of the province during the early Aptian. The results imply that early angiosperms still played minor role in lower Aptian Bulgarian floras.