ABSTRACT

About 4000 ft of alternating sandstone and shale and a carbonate reef buildup on northeastern Banks Island were examined for their megaspore content. Combined megaspore and miospore evidence indicates that the sediments range from Frasnian to Famenian in age. The lower 600 ft of section is characterized by the presence of Biharisporites submammilarius, Biharisporites sp. and Ancyrospora spp. Between 600 and 2850 ft, Lagenicula devonica, Nikitinsporites canadensis, Ocksisporites spp. and Triangulatisporites are the diagnostic species. Above 2850 ft to the top of the section, Lagenicula sp. and ?Ancyrospora magnifica are the characteristic species. This change occurs at approximately the Frasnian-Famenian boundary, and suggests that the two are separated by an unconformity as there appears to be no overlap in the megaspore floras.

Fluctuations in total megaspore counts indicate alternate marine regressive and transgressive conditions.