A NEW SPECIES OF CLADAITINA MAHESHWARI & MEYEN, 1975 (CORDAITALEAN POLLEN) FROM UPPERMOST PERMIAN DEPOSITS OF THE FAMATINA RANGE, CENTRAL WESTERN ARGENTINA

A new cordaitalean pollen species of Cladaitina Maheshwari & Meyen, namely Cladaitina veteadensis is described from the Upper Permian strata of Argentina. The morphology of these dispersed pollen grains were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. Detailed comparisons are made with similar commonly recorded sporae dispersae incertae sedis forms mainly recorded from other Late Permian palynofloras elsewhere. Cladaitina veteadensis sp. nov. constitutes a characteristic and common component of a rich palynological assemblage found in the upper part of the La Veteada Formation, Famatina Range, La Rioja province, central-western Argentina. More than 40 genera of pollen grains, spores, algae and fungi were recognized in this assemblage that they collectively suggest a latest Permian age. The presence of the genus Cladaitina in Argentina can be considered as a first evidence of the occurrence of Rufloriaceae in Gondwana.