Filamentous eukaryotic algae from the Lower Devonian, Bukowa Gora (Holy Cross Mountains, Poland)

Palynological investigations of the upper Emsian rocks from the Bukowa Gora Quarry (Holy Cross Mountains; Poland) revealed an organic fraction classified as remains of filamentous algae. Individual cellswere arranged linearly and contacted each other. Specimens occurred as short filaments having no branches. Cell walls appeared single-layered, very thin and translucent. Cell surfaces were sometimes covered with very delicate striations, possibly generated by compressional folding. A comparison of the main features of the described taxa with extant algae indicated closest relationship with the chlorophycean green algal orders Ulotrichales and Cladophorales. Representatives of these orders occupy mainly freshwater environments. Palynofacies investigation revealed high content of land origin palynomorphs with complete lack of marine components. The presence of such delicate organisms as algae in sediments might indicate very fast deposition in a proximal, very near-shore, possibly shallow water/lagoonal or alluvial environment. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.