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RECORDS 19608
REPORT ON 1966 COLLECTIONS OF PLANT FOSSILS FROM THE
SURAT BASIN, SOUTH-WEST EROMANGA BASIN, DELAMERE,
NORTHERN TERRITORY: AND PROSERPINE DISTRICT OF
QUEENS LAND.
by
Mary E. White
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REPORT ON 1966 COLLECTIONS OF PLANT FOSSILS FROM THE SURAT BASIN;
SOUTH-WEST EROMANGA BASIN; DELAMERE, NORTHERN TERRITORY; AND
PROSERPINE DISTRICT OF QUEELISLAND
by
Mary E. White
Records 1967/78
INDEX
Page
PART I
REPORT ON 1966 COLLECTION OF PLANT FOSSILS FROM THE
SURAT BASIN^
1
PART II ^REPORT ON PLANT FOSSILS FROM THE WINTON FORMATION
COLLECTED BY THE 1966 SOUTH WEST EROMANGA BASIN PARTY^8
PART III REPORT ON 1966 COLLECTION OF PLANT FOSSILS FROM THE
DELAKERE AND THE VICTORIA RIVER DOWNS SHEET AREAS,
NORTHERN TERRITORY^
10
PART IV ^REPORT ON 1966 COLLECTION OF PLANT FOSSILS FROM THE
PROSERPINE DISTRICT, QUEENSLAND^
13
The information contained in this report has been obtained by the
Department of National Development, as part of the pilicy of the Commonwealth Government, to assist in the exploration and development of mineral
resources. It may not be published in any form or used in a company
prospectus without the permission in writing of the Director, Bureau of
Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics.
PART I
REPORT ON 1966 COLLECTION OF PLANT FOSSILS FROM THE
SURAT BASIN
Introduction
Plant fossils were collected at five localities in the Surat Basin
in 1966 by N. Exon and E.I\L Milligan.
Two localities in Nullawurt Sandstone contain a Lower Cretaceous
assemblage. Specimens collected from rubble lying on the Ijune Creek Group
(Loc. S 266) contain a very large number of Lower Cretaceous plants in an
excellent state of preservation. A locality in Mooga Sandstone contains
Lower Cretaceous plant fragments.
L. Locality SB 236:, ^Mitchell Sheet. Nullawurt Sandstone Member
of Blythesdale Formation.
1 mile west—north—west of Walhallow Homestead.
(Military grid reference 651, 738). Collector
N.F. Exon.
Specimen no. F 22844
Several leaves up to 1 cm wide and 6 cm long, parallel—sided,
with prominent midribs and fine secondary veining at right angles to the
niirib, are referred to Taeniopteris spatulata McClell. Leaves of this
type have a Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous distribution. None of the
leaves is complete, and there is no indication whether they weresimple
leaves or leaflets of compound leaves of the Stangerites, Angiopterodium
or Morrisia type. Classification of such leaves is not wholly satisfactory.
Taernopteris ..s.atzata is used as a form species. With poor specimens any
other determination would be unnecessarily complicating. Figure 1 illustra—
tes part of a leaf.
Age: Jurassic or Lower Cretaceous.
Figure 19 Negative F 5050
Taeniopteris spatulata McClell
— 2 —
2 Locality SB 245:
^
Roma Sheet, Nullawurt Sandstone Member.
On rise immediately W. of Goldsborough Hs.
(Military Grid ref. 677, 722)
Collector N.F. Exon
Specimen no. F 22845 F 22846
Conifer fronds referred to Elatocladus planus Feist. are
illustrated in Figure 2 (Specimen no. F 22845)
Figure 2, Negative F 5052
I)C HE5
Specimen F 22846 contains part of a lamina of Hausmannia wilkinsi
Walkom showing the dichotomising venation. Figure 3 illustrates the
specimen.
Figure 3, Negative F 5051
Hausmannia wilkinsi Walk.
Hausmannia wilkinsi was described
by Walkom in 1928 from Plutoville,
Cape York Peninsula, from Lower
Cretaceous strata.
(Walkom, A.B. 1928. Fossil Plants
from Plutoville, Cape York Pen.;
Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. 53, 2:
P. 148)
AE1L Lower Cretaceous
3
3. Locality SB 131:
^
Roma Sheet. Top sandstone of Nullawurt Sandstone
Member.
In Bungeworgorai Creek (148°47'48"E; 26°25'06"S)
Collector E.N. Milligan
Specimen nos. F 22851, F 22851A, F 22852
In the specimens numbered F 22851 there are indeterminate plant
fragments and numerous casts of small spherical seeds of average diameter
.25 cm. What appears to be part of a Molluscan shell is present in specimen
F 2285A. Among the indeterminate plant fragments are a few which might be
pinnule fragments of Cycadites. Each is about 1.5 cm long, .25 — .3 cm wide,
with a keeled appearance. Two ? veins spaced .1 cm apart form the keel, the
sides are flexed forwards. No identification can be made on the fragmentary
evidence.
Specimen F 22852 is illustrated in Figure 4. A triangular scale
of indeterminate affinities (or ? cast of conical seed) is present with a
number of the small spherical seeds which occur in profusion throughout the
sample.
Age: No age determination can be made.
Figure 4, Negative F 5048
Specimen F 22852. Seeds and scale
— 4 —
4. Locality SB 132:^Roma Sheet. Near top of Mooga Sandstone Member of
Blythesdale Formation.
Near Dulacca (149°50'54"E: 26°23'32"S)
Collector E.N. Milligan
Specimen no F 22853.
These specimens contain great quantities of macerated and fragmentary plant material, largely indeterminate. Some oval seeds, max. diam.
07 cm are present, also two small leaf fragments which are tentatively
referred to Phyllopteris lanceolata Walk.
Age: Probably Lower Cretaceous
5. Locality
s
266:
^
Roma .Sheet. Derived material lying on Injune Group.
Probably from duricrusted Cretaceous - possibly
Doncaster Member.
Occurs as sillicified argillaceous rubble immediately
north of Lyndon Homestead.
(Military grid ref. 683, 747)
Collector N. Ekon
Specimens F 22854 - F 22861
The following plants are identified:Taeniopteris
Taeniapteris sp. (very narrow leaves)
Pladophlebis australis Morr.
NijgEor2j_
.aschav
,umbernsis_ Dunker
SithemEterislaurrumensis Walk.
Sphenopieris.flabellifolia Ten. Woods.
Otozamites feistmanteli Zino.
Araucarites arberi Walk. Cone Scales.
9221112.12212 Flower bracts.
Walk.
Casts of spherical seeds.
Age: This is a Lower Cretaceous flora containing most of the
elements of the Burrum Flora in Queensland.
Figures 5 - 8 illustrate a selection of the specimens
reFQ
Specimen F 22855. Mai. X2
Nilesonia schaumbemnsis Dunk.
•is sp,
.optel__
TITEL
30
___12phlebis australis (Morr).
Clac
-6FlEL322_,§1.12.glilYE_E-5.224
Specimen F 22856. Natural size
NilssonAa schaurober:ensis Dunk.
Specimen F 22857. Natural size
1. Silicified stem
2. Cast of round seed
3. Araucarites arberi Walk. Cone Scale
4. Clado hlebis australis Morr.
5. SItenopteris burrumensis Walk.
6. Otozamites feistmanteli Zigno
7. .L22E1212E12
rNeflve F 5043
Specimen F 22860 A. Magn. X2
Otozamites feistmanteli Zigno
Notes on species:
Taenio teris s atulata McClell.: Common in Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous.
Taeniopteris sp.: Very Narrow Taeniopteroid leaves, averaging .15 cm wide
and up to several cm long, These may be parts of compound leaves.
No close identification can be made.
Clado hlebis australis Morr.: Very abundant fern of Jurassic and Lower
Cretaceous.
•
Nilssonia schaumbeILEnsis Dunker.: A Lower Cretaceous species of Nilssonia.
Similar to Ptehy1lfissum common in Lower Cretaceous in
Australia (Records 1961. 146), Small fronds and basal portions
of fronds could almost be referred to P. fissum. Fronds of this
type have a Lower Cretaceous distribution. N. schaumbergensis is
a prominent member of the Burrum flora in Queensland.
Sphenopteris burrumensis Walk.: A fern described from Burrum Series.
8
S heno teris flabellifolia Ten. Woods.: Described from Burrum Series.
Otozamites feistmanteli Zigno.: Shows callosities at the petioles. Range
of such fronds Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous.
Araucarites arberi Walk.: Described from the Burrum Series.
Cycadolepis.: Bennetitalean flower bracts. Lower Cretaceous.
Phyllopteris lanceolate Walk.: Described from the Burrum Series in
Queensland. Leaves of this type have a Jurassic/Lower Cretaceous
distribution.
PART II
REPORT ON PLANT FOSSILS FROM THE WINTON FORMATION COLLECTED BY THE
1966 SOUTH WEST EROMANGA BASIN PARTY
Summary:
Plant fossils were collected at one locality in the Connemara Sheet
area in 1966 by the S,W. Eromanga Basin Party.
Three plant species are present which indicate Cretaceous age.
They are elements of the Lower Cretaceous Burrum Flora but their upward range
is unknown.
Localit,u 7-4-5072 (registered no. 66052409)
30 miles East of Davenport Downs, on the Connemara
Sheet area.
speLmtn_E22862, illustrated in Figure 9 (mai.. X2) shows a small
portion of a frond of the fern Spheno teris erecta Ten. Woods which
is a characteristic fern of the Burrum Series.
FiEge 2.1...E1FaLLMJL.5211
Spheno tens erects. X2
- 9 Specimen F 22863, illustrated in Figure 10, shows a minute Conifer
twig and ? macerated Conifer material.
Figure 101 Negative F
Specileall.1286i, illustrated in Figure 11, shows a Dictyledonous
leaf. This small, almost circular leaf with entire margin is the
same as leaves determined as "Phyllites" by Walkom (1919) in the
Burrum flora.
No reliable determination of such isolated leaves can be made as
there is no indication of their affinities.
Age:. Cretaceous. ? Lower Cretaceous
PART III
REPORT ON 1966 COLLECTION OF PLANT FOSSILS FROM THE DELAMERE AND
THE VICTORIA RIVER DOWNS SHEET AREAS, NORTHERN TERRITORY
Introduction:
Plant fossils were collected at three localities on the Delamere
Sheet area, Northern Territory by S.K. Skwarko.
Lower Cretaceous floral elements are identified, confirmingthe
Neocomian dating made on marine fossil evidence.
Locality DL 310:^First Cretaceous mesa along road south—east of
Augusta Crown.
Run
5,
photo 5163, Pt. DL 310. Delamere 1:250,000
Specimens F 22847
Figure 12 illustrates this specimen. A frond approximately 4 cm
wide, pinnae .25 wide, closely set is referred to allopyirn sp.
Preservation is poor and mode of attachment of pinnae to the rachis, which
is .25 cm wide, is in doubt. Venation appears to be about 10 parallel veins
per pinna. No anastomosing can be seen. The frond is of Ptilophyllum type,
considerably larger than the common^The very regular width of
pinnae precludes the specimen from Pterolnylium or Nilssonia. The apparent
absence of basal constriction of pinnae, absence of callosities etc. make
reference to Zamites unwise. The specimen is therefore determined as
LiiLaPhIlLAL sPo
12 Negative y 5285
Ptilophzllum sp. Natural size
-
L22111-12_21_,_111:
11 —
In escarpment on both sides of track along east—west
trending fence in extreme north—east corner of the
sheet.
Run (Larrimah) 1, photo 5103, point DL 313.
Delamere 1:250,000
Specimens F 22848, F 22849 and F 22849 A.
Specimen F 2a848
EL=2_11_12_1_g_4_5.214,
Sp ecimen^
Part of a very small frond
1 cm long with 4 pairs of
pinnules is identified as
Neorhacopteris minuta
White described from the
Callawa Formation in
Western Australia in 1959
(Records 1959/153)
2284.9..
Figure 1.4_,Negative F ^
1,^. •
"" '1,4x
yrr-,
A minute froni3 cm long and
width not more than .15 cm
is portion of Missailo2teri..s
g]eichenioides 0 & M a Lower
Cretaceous form which was
associated with Neorhacopteris
minuta in the Callawa Formation,
and present in the previous
collections of Lower Cretaceous
plants from the Northern
Territory.
Specimen F^49
Figure 15, Negat ive
A poorly preserved frond of
Otozamites bengalensis 0. & M.
A e of lant horizon at localitL_Eiatli. Lower Cretaceous
- /2-
Lalality_21122.15L^Ti
miles east from Top Springs.
ITm south-south-east from Katherine - Top Springs Rd.,
2 miles north-east from intersection with Dunmarra Timber Creek Rd.
Run 10, photo 5161, pt. VRD 235. Victoria River Downs
1:250;000
Specimen F 22850
Fiaut_16 NegaIiy21_1911
shows a stem (reduced to a third natural size). No determination
is possible.
—
13
—
PART IV
REPORT ON 1966 COLLECTION OF PLANT FOSSILS FROM THE PROSERPINE
DISTRICT, QUEENSLAND
Summary:
Three collections of plant fossils were made in the Proserpine
District of Queensland in 1966 by A. Paine.
from Campwyn Beds contains Lepidodenroid stem
impressions cf. Lepidodendron veltheimianum
or L. aculeatum and Equisetalean fragments.
A Carboniferous age is suggested, but Upper
Devonian is not precluded.
Collection
, Collection 2
Collection 3
from clasts in conglomerate interbedded with
volcanics consists of slate with plant impressions
and coaly specimens with no identifiable plant
remains. Cladophlebis australis and Eouisetites
rotiferum are identified, indicating Lower Mesozoic
age.
from Cape Hillsborough consists of specimens of
fine white sandstone with numerous impressions of
Dicotyledonous leaves of Tertiary age.
COLLECTION
Locality:^North bank of O'Connell River, 400 yards down—
stream from the Bruce Highway Bridge.
From sequence of tuffaceous sediments interbedded
with volcanics. ? Campwyn Beds.
Specimens F 22865, F 22866 and F 22867.
The plant fragments in these specimens are largely indeterminate.
Two impressions of Lepidodendroid stems2 illustrated in Figure 17 are of
immature stems with crowded leaf bases. They are of Lepidodendron
veltheimianum general type and are tentatively referred to that species or
to L. aculeatum which has similar young forms. (Speciment no F 22865)
- 14-
fifillreiLLITegg..-tiref _5241
Some fragments of ribbed Equisetalean stems are present in specimen
F 22867, illustrated in Figure 18. No specific determination can be made.
Fig'ure_18a_Negative F
.2242.
Equisetalean stems. Natural size
Age: The presenu- a _aldodendron of the veltheimianum type suggests a
Carboniferous age for the specimens. The Calamite does not assist in dating.
On the available evidence no closer age determination can be made than Upper
Devonian or Carboniferous.
- 15 COLLECTION 2
Locality:
^
Cape Conway; East of Proserpine.
Clasts from a thick (2000') conglomerate lens
interbedded in volcanics.
Specimens F 22868 - F 22874.
This collection consists of specimens of slaty nature containing
visible plant remains and an additional sample of coaly specimens. The
nature of all the specimens is such that no satisfactory photographs could
be taken. As the collection is of importance in elucidating stratigraphical
problems, it has been examined in great detail and the coaly specimens have
been broken up and fragments examined in the hopes of finding additional
evidence.
Specimens with determinate plant remains are individually numbered
for easy reference and drawingshave been made to illustrate some diagnostic
features.
The following plants are identified in the specimens:Cladophlebis australis (Morr.)
E uisetites rotiferum Ten. Woods
Small spherical seed
The^of the plant horizon is Lower Mesozoic.
Cladophlebis australis is very common in Jurassic and Lower
Cretaceous, but occurs also in Triassic. It is a form genus of sterile
fronds showing considerable variation in form.
E uisetites rotiferum is Jurassic, but very similar to
E. rajmahalensis from the Lower Cretaceous of India.
Details of specimens follow:F 22868: Specimens with indeterminate plant remains.
F 22869: Specimens with fragmentary Cladophlebis australis (Morr.)
F 22870: Specimens with clearly determinate Cladophlebis austrglis
F 22871: Terminal part of frond and impression df larger frond of
Cladophlebis australis.
F 22872: Specimens with stem impressions and leaf sheaths of Eauisetites
rotiferum
F 22873: Specimen with cast of small round seed
F 22874: Three small specimens from which drawings of Eauisetites
rotiferum are made
- 16 -
Text Figure 1
Text Figure 2^Text Figure 3
Part of nodal diaphragm
Ribbed internode
Portion of leaf sheath.
COLLECTION 3
Locality:^Cape Hillsborough
Fine—grained white sandstone interbedded in a
Cainozoic volcanic sequence.
Specimens F 228759 F 22876
Dicotyledonous leaves are present in these specimens. In view
of the great diversity of dicotyledonous leaves during this epoch no
identification should be made on gross morphology only. When cuticles
are present or fruits associated or where there is some very characteristic
feature showing relationships with modern plant families or genera identifi—
cations can safely be made.
Figure 19 illustrates specimen F 22876.
— 1 7—
Figure 19, Negative F 5049
Dicotyledonous leaves. Natural size
Age: Tertiary