Palynostratigraphy of the Nayband Formation, Tabas, Central Iran Basin: Paleogeographical and paleoecological implications

Apparent taxonomical dissimilarity between the Norian and Rhaetian palynofloras examined and joint occurrence in the latter of several Rhaetian miospore species known as independently occurring in assemblages from either southern or northern hemisphere is interpreted to reflect geodynamic history of the Iran Plate during Late Triassic. Inferred natural relationships of the Nayband sporae dispersae imply derivation from such diverse parental flora as, in descending quantitative order, Pterophyta, Lycopodophyta, Arthrophyta, Coniferophyta, Ginkgophyta, Pteridospermophyta, and Bryophyta. Abundance of ferns and coniferophytes in parent flora of the palynofloras investigated implies that the host strata accumulated under a moist warm climate with progressively decreasing temperature during late Late Triassic.