Mid-cretaceous conifers from the Eromanga Basin, Australia

Abstract

Mid-Cretaceous (latest Albian–earliest Cenomanian) sediment in sevenbore cores from the Eromanga Basin (south-western Queensland) was sampled fororganically preserved plant macrofossils. Among those recovered, 26 taxa ofconifers have been distinguished. Families Araucariaceae, Podocarpaceae, andCheirolepidiaceae were prominent. The Araucariaceae includeAraucaria sp., while the remainder are considered torepresent extinct genera. Podocarpaceae are all species of extinct genera andtwo new genera are described: Eromangia andThargomindia. There are two species ofCheirolepidiaceae. One of these, Geinitzea tetragonaCantrill & Douglas, is made the type of a new genus,Otwayia, with two species,O. tetragona and O. cudgeloides,both occurring in the Eromanga Basin. No unequivocalCupressaceae/Taxodiaceae were recognised.