ABSTRACT

Study of outcrops south of Burkeville, Texas revealed that during late Miocene time a stream flowed into an estuary from the east-northeast, gradually filling it with silts and clays. An integrated analysis of microfossils, macrofossils, sediments and sedimentary features was undertaken, so that the paleoecology might be discerned.

The microfauna, which had not previously been described, included genera of Foraminifera in the estuarine part of the section which are characteristically found in brackish waters today. Spore and pollen analyses of clays from the lower part of the section showed abundant pollen and plant cuticle. The pollen are those of conifers primarily but include grasses, elm-like and oak-like trees, and several weeds of the family Compositae. Diatoms and charophyte oogonia were also present. In addition to the microfauna, the estuarine sediments enclosed remains of sea-cows, turtles, rays, pikes, oysters and worms. Stream sediments enclosed a varied assemblage, including pelecypods, gastropods, beavers, horses, camels, and rhinoceros.

The stream flowed through an area that was wooded with many grassy fields between the woodlots. Horses and camels roamed the land, rhinoceros lived close to the stream, and the beavers dwelled in it. The stream was populated by molluscs, fish, and algae. The estuary supported algae and other plants, molluscs, Foraminifera, and a few sea-cows and turtles.