Abstract

This paper represents the first contribution to the study of spores from the Upper Devonian
sedimentary sequences of Armenia. Diverse and well-preserved terrestrial palynomorphs are
recovered from the Frasnian–lower Famennian succession of the Ertych section (Central
Armenia). Their taxonomic assessment led us to recognize 36 spore species belonging to 24
genera. The impossibility of using the main spore biozonation schemes established for the
localities of Euramerica and Gondwana led us to divide the studied miospores into 3 assemblages
according to their stratigraphic distribution, which can later be used to establish formal biozones
for the South Armenian Block (SAB). The first and second assemblages consists mainly of
species (e.g. Densosporites devonicus, Cymbosporites catillus) that appear to have originated in
the Lower–Middle Devonian strata, but also extending into the lower Frasnian, whereas the third
assemblage also includes species (e.g., Teichertospora torquata, Verrucosisporites nitidus) that
are characteristic for the upper Frasnian–lower Famennian transitional interval. The presence of
species such as Acinosporites lindlarensis, Ancyrospora ancyrea, A. longispinosa, Aneurospora
greggsii, Apiculiretusispora brandtii, Chelinospora concinna, Cymbosporites catillus, C.
cyathus, Densosporites devonicus, Emphanisporites rotatus, Geminospora lemurata,
Hystricosporites multifurcatus, Kraeuselisporites ollii?, Retusotriletes triangulatus,
Rhabdosporites langii, Rugospora bricei, Samarisporties triangulatus, Teicherispora torquata
Verrucosisporites nitidus and V. bulliferus, indicate that these assemblages are closely
comparable with coeval assemblages recorded from Iran, Portugal, Western Europe, Central
Europe, North Africa, South America, North America and Western Asia. This highlights the
close relationship of the SAB to other parts of the northern Gondwanan margin and southern
Laurentian domain during the Middle–Late Devonian. The examined assemblages are dominated
by zonate camerate spores, which constitute the most diverse and abundant group, whereas
apiculate retusoid group is the second in terms of diversity. Despite of its low diversity, the
group of crassitate apiculate spores shows the second highest abundance value. In conjunction
with spores, the presence of brachiopods as well as trepostome and cryptostome bryozoans,
suggests a coastal depositional environment including rivers, river deltas, tidal flats, and lagoons
during the Frasnian–Early Famennian time interval in the Ertych section.