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Late Miocene vegetation and palaeoenvironments of the Drygalski Formation, Heard Island, Indian Ocean: evidence from palynology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 August 2005

ELIZABETH M. TRUSWELL
Affiliation:
Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
PATRICK G. QUILTY
Affiliation:
School of Earth Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 79, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
A. MCMINN
Affiliation:
Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 77, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
M.K. MACPHAIL
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology and Natural History, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
G.E. WHELLER
Affiliation:
Volcanex International Pty Ltd, 521 Tinderbox Rd, Blackmans Bay, TAS 7052, Australia

Abstract

Well sorted, fine lithic sandstone within the Drygalski Formation at Cape Lockyer on the southern tip of Heard Island, preserves a diverse terrestrial palynoflora as well as marine diatoms and a few foraminifera. A combination of these elements suggests a Late Miocene age (10–5 Ma). The palaeovegetation was markedly different from that presently on the island, and appears to comprise at least two ecologically distinct communities: open heath or herbfield dominated by grasses and Asteraceae, and a more mesophytic community dominated by ferns but also including lycopods and angiosperms such as Gunnera. This may have represented a coastal flora similar to the ‘fern-bush’ community that exists now on Southern Ocean islands north of the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone, and in Tierra del Fuego; however, there is no evidence of tree species in the local flora and trace amounts of tree pollen present may have blown in from other landmasses in the region.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Antarctic Science Ltd 2005

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