STRATIGRAPHIC POSITION OF THE ALBIAN AND LATE CRETACEOUS FLORAS IN SOUTHERN MONGOLIA

Abstract

First data on the Late Cretaceous floras occurring in association with diverse invertebrate and vertebrate faunas at 11 localities of southern Mongolia are reported. Ages and stratigraphic position of studied plant remains and taphocoenoses as a whole are determined based on succession of faunal and floral assemblages. Composition of Albian to Maastrichtian floras is analyzed. Based on dominant taxa, the Aptian-Albian, Cenomanian-Turonian, Campanian, and Maastrichtian assemblages are distinguished. Late Cretaceous landscapes and climatic conditions of vertebrate habitats in the southern Gobi are reconstructed