Palynology of miocene sediments in Brunei Darussalam

Author(s)
Amajida Roslim, Antonino Briguglio, László Kocsis, Sulia Goeting, Christa Hofmann
Abstract

Brunei Darussalam’s geology is characterized by extensive Neogene fluvio-deltaic to shallow marine siliciclastic deposits, which have been studied here to highlight their palynological content. So far, there are only few reports that investigate fossil pollen and only one focuses on detailed taxonomical description using light microscopy (LM). The rest are studies on a wider regional scale in northwest Borneo sometimes including Brunei but without much emphasizes on taxonomy. To investigate pollen thoroughly, the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is important, as this can provide valuable information on the sculptures of the pollen grains which with LM alone cannot be observed. Our study here provides LM images alongside the first SEM images of pollen and spores from Miocene sediments in Brunei Darussalam. The results point to a moderate-diverse flora comprising 37 families and 62 pollen and spore taxa. Most common ones are mangrove types which are Rhizophoraceae and Lythraceae taxa. The families of Combretaceae, Malvaceae, and other less common pollen groups are typical of tropical floral elements. The recovered families of Anacardiaceae, Arecaceae (five taxa), Calophyllaceae, Dilleniaceae, Dipterocarpaceae (two taxa), Elaeocarpaceae, Euphorbiaceae (four taxa), Phyllanthaceae (two taxa), Podocarpaceae, Proteaceae, Rubiaceae, Sapindaceae and Sapotaceae indicate mixed Dipterocarpaceae forests ranging from hinterland to peat swamp areas.

Organisation(s)
Department of Palaeontology
External organisation(s)
Università degli Studi di Genova, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD)
Journal
Palaeontographica. Abteilung B: Palaeobotany - Palaeophytology
Volume
301
Pages
77-139
No. of pages
63
ISSN
2194-900X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1127/palb/2021/0071
Publication date
01-2021
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105118 Palaeontology
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Palaeontology
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 14 - Life Below Water
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/6a0f3ed4-1bff-4288-9bb2-f782ffa527cd