PALYNOMORPHS

Casenas, Matthew Ray T.De Leon, Faye Ann

I. Palynology

II.Palynomorphs

III.Dinoflagellates

IV.Pollen and Spores

Outline of Discussion

Palynology• Greek, “ Palynein “ to sprinkle.

• Hyde and Williams (1944)

• study of plant pollen, spores and certain microscopic plankton organisms

• Collectively termed PALYNOMORPHS.

Palynomorphs• plant and animal structures that are microscopic in size (from about 5 µm to about 500 µm).

• highly resistant to most forms of decay (exc. oxidation)

• abundant in most sediments and sedimentary rocks.

• Sporopollenin (unifying character)

The Palynomorphs (9 Groups)• Cryptarchs• Acritarchs• Chitinozoa• Scolecodonts• Green and blue-green algae

• Pollen and Spores• Dinoflagellates• Fungal bodies• Foraminiferal test linings

Dinoflagellates• Protists - unicellular microplankton ( 5m – 2mm)

• commonly autotrophs, heterotrophic forms also occur

• composed of dinosporin (Greek "dinos" meaning whirling)

• Baker in 1753 (first modern dinoflagellates)

• Muller in 1773 (first species)

• Ehrenberg in the 1830's (first fossil – flint)

• second only to diatoms as marine primary producers.

Consist of two flagella:

1. Transverse Flagellum - contained in a cingulum

- provides forward motion and spin

2. Longitudinal Flagellum - trailing behind

- provides little propulsive force.

Anatomy

Life Cycle of Dinoflagellates

Cyst = Dino. Fossil

Resting Cyst = Dinoflagellate FossilIF:1. Direct “reflection” of the tabulation

pattern on the cyst wall.

2. Archeopyle Arrangement

Environment of Deposition- Marine environment

Host Rocks- Marine Sedimentary Rocks

Quality Of Preservation- Well Preserved

Red Tide: A Natural Phenomenon• “Blooms” or high concentration of dinoflagellates ( organisms/liter)

• Water rich in nutrients = dinoflagellates rapidly multiply.

• Red hue to water

• Saxitoxin - Paralytic Shellfish Poison

Bioluminescence- Sparkling of water a night.

- Production and emission of light by a living organism.

- blue-green light

- brief blue flash when stimulated

Period of First Appearance - Silurian(Arpylorus antiquus in Tunisia)

Period of Diversity - Mid Cretaceous

Period of Last Appearance - Not yet determined. Still existing.

Significance

1.Ideal index fossils – Petroleum industry

2.Base of Marine Food Chain

References:• https://www.utexas.edu/courses/denbow/labs/

palynology.htm• http://www.mnh.si.edu/highlight/sem/

dinoflagellates.html

• Dinoflagellate Evolution and Diversity Through Time(R.A. Fensome, R.A. MacRae and G.L. Williams)

• http://www.ucl.ac.uk/GeolSci/micropal/palynology.html

• http://tolweb.org/Dinoflagellates/2445

• http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/pollen/whatispalynology.htm