New palynological data from the Malanzan Formation (Carboniferous), La Rioja Province, Argentina

Palynological analysis of the Malanzan Formation in the Paganzo Basin, northwestern Argentina, has yielded six well-preserved palynological assemblages. Fifty-nine species were determined: 37 spores, 19 pollen grains, and 3 algae. Thirty-two of these species have not been recorded so far from the Malanzan Formation, and all pollen species are illustrated for the first time. These assemblages are referred to Sub-Biozone A of the Raistrickia densa-Convolutispora muriornata Biozone, Serpukhovian in age. Moreover, the abundance of monosaccate pollen grains might constrain the Malanzan Formation to the late Serpukhovian.