Upper Cretaceous proteaceous pollen from the Edmonton Formation, Alberta (Canada) and their paleoecologic significance

Abstract

The morphological distinctions between the form genera Beaupreaidites and Proteacidites are discussed. Also the genus Beaupreaidites is suitably emended to accommodate proteaceous colpoid pollen with coarse reticulate, retipilate, or verrucose sexine. Three species belonging to Beaupreaidites and three species belonging to Proteacidites are reported from the Edmonton Formation. Two new species are described: Beaupreaidites libitus and Proteacidites auratus. The distribution of proteaceous pollen in Upper Cretaceous strata and their paleoecological significance in the Edmonton Formation are discussed.