Palaeoecology of the Triassic Molteno Formation, Karoo Basin, South Africa - sedimentological and palaeontological evidence

Eleven lithofacies, from boulder conglomerates through a variety of sandstones to siltstones, mudstones, and coals, are described. These each include typical floral and faunal elements. The rich Molteno flora and fauna can be classified into 7 primary co-associations occupying distinct habitats: Dicroidium riparian forest (types 1 and 2), Dicroidium woodland, Sphenobaiera woodland, Heidiphyllum thicket, Equisetum marsh, and fern/Ginkgophytopsis meadow. These are collectively described and illustrated in a series of block diagrams. Three regional palaeoenvironmental reconstructions of the Molteno depositional basin: 1) braidplan, 2) mixed-load meander channels, and 3) distal channels, 4) depict the habitats and plant communities identified and show the envisaged sites of the described taphocoenoses. -from Authors