Special Papers in Palaeontology : Taxonomy and Biostratigraphy Devonian Spore Assemblages from North-Western Gondwana

A Guide to the identification and description for 205 spore taxa and forms the basis for a refined biostratigraphy and palaeogeography Devonian spores from 16 subsurface successions in Saudi Arabia and North Africa are systematically documented to characterize assemblages for the northern margin of western Gondwana. The taxonomic study provides the identification and description for 205 spore taxa and forms the basis for a refined biostratigraphy and palaeogeography. Most species are illustrated by multiple specimens to document morphological variation and the effects of taphonomy. Numerous species have considerable morphological variability and require examination of larger populations to become fully understood. These spores show intergrading morphological variation and were grouped into morphons. Although a majority of spore species were previously described, many others are new and endemic to north-western Gondwana.