RESULTS FROM THE TERRESTRIAL PALYNOLOGICAL RE-INVESTIGATION OF THE TYPE COON CREEK LAGERSTÄTTE, TENNESSEE, USA

Well known as both a Konservat and Konzentrat Lagerstätte of invertebrate fossil remains and containing important vertebrate remains, the type locality for the Campanian Coon Creek Formation, exposed at the Coon Creek Science Center in McNairy County, Tennessee, also yields an extremely well-preserved palynological assemblage. Preliminary biostratigraphic work resulted in a constrained age of 76.8 – 76.0 Ma (late Campanian) and hinted at important variations in depositional environment and climate at the time of its deposition in a shallow marine embayment in the western margin of the Appalachia province. Here we present the results and interpretation of detailed study of terrestrial palynomorphs recovered from samples collected in July 2023 by the Coon Creek Science Team. We note increased terrestrial organic matter at several points, and variations in terrestrial palynomorph assemblage that are suggestive of coastal gymnosperm-dominated forests; wetlands that contain raised bogs or tree-islands; and wetlands dominated by herbaceous vegetation. Many terrestrial palynomorphs have damage patterns characteristic of chytrids, other fungi, and bacteria, while others have damage from mineral crystals, primarily pyrite. Damage patterns of these types are consistent with origination in oxic settings and transport in fluvial and marine environments prior to deposition in anoxic settings.