Filicinae and other selected plant microfossils from Neogene deposits of tropical area (Malaysia)

Geoscience Research Reports 39, 2006 (GRR for 2005), pages 89–90

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Abstract

Fern spores (Filicinae), planktic algal microfossils, assigned to green algae, algal sheaths and different types of Fungi were recognized as locally significant components in different types of clayey and siliciclastic deposits in the Central Sarawak Basin in Malaysia. They were studied, along with other microfossils, using light and electron microscopy for taxonomical assignment and palaeoenvironmental assessment. The floating water fern Salvinia, lianas of Lygodium and Ceratopteris, halophytic Acrostichum and terrestrial peatbogs ferns (Polypodiaceae s. l.) were recorded. Among them, climbing fern Stenochlaena (S. palustris) was locally very abundant, pointing to special palaeoecology and palaeoenvironment. Noteworthy are also Concentricystes, planktic green algae, rather frequent in fluvial deposits and estuaries. Two morphotypes were recorded, one of which may represent new species. Fungi form special group of heterogenous spores, hyphae and microthyriaceous remains. Among hyphae and spores, the saprophytic types are striking. Many specimens/taxa were recorded for the first time and are new for the studied territory. All the selected groups represent distinct ecobiomes and point to a different environment during depositional time interval - terrestrial, limnic and fluvial, predominantly with low gradient water to estuaries, salty soils, peat bogs with locally abundant ferns and soils rich in litters and fungous decomposers.