Dinoflagellate cysts from the Shillong Plateau, Meghalaya (India): Palynological signature during the late Palaeocene–early Eocene Transition

Abstract

AbstractThe paper presents a new section of the late Palaeocene‐early Eocene, palynological assemblages and stable carbon isotopes from the Lakadong sandstone member of the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya (India). The Palaeocene‐Eocene transition (PET) is marked by stratigraphic markers of dinoflagellate cysts (taxa of Apectodinium augustum, now Axiodinium augustum) and negative carbon isotope excursion. The palynofloral assemblage indicates the sequence represents warm, humid tropical to subtropical conditions with heavy rainfall. The depositional environment of the Lakadong Sandstone Member is interpreted to be neritic. The new insights of this study in this section suggest the PET with the occurrence of Apectodinium acme consisting of A. augustum at CS5‐15a.