Higher plants and miospore assemblage of Burtnieki Regional Stage (Givetian) of South Estonia

Abstract

The flora of Joosu Quarry (Estonia) is additionally studied from the deposits of Abava Member of Givetian Burtnieki Regional Stage. Its systematic composition has been expanded to four species instead of the previously known single species. The predominance of representatives of Pseudosporochnus and presence of single lycopsid is reported. The diagnostic features of Pseudosporochnus species are revealed and the specific composition of this genus is inspected. Spores from sporangia of Pseudosporochnus for the first time along with the miospore assemblage from the deposits of Abava Member, containing plants are allocated and illustrated. The age of Abava Member deposits is determined by macroflora as the possible Lower Givetian. Dispersed miospores allowed us to take Abava Member to the Geminospora extensa (EX) Zone which corresponds to the modern view the lower and middle parts of Givetian.