PALYNOLOGY OF THE MACKELLAR FORMATION (BEACON SUPERGROUP) OF EAST ANTARCTICA

Palynomorphs are recovered for the first time from the Mackellar Forma tion (Victoria Group, Beacon Supergroup) of East Antarctica, The palyn oassemblage is diverse and includes 15 form genera. The assemblage is dominated by radially symmetrical trilete monosaccates and non-taeniat e bisaccates. When compared with other palynofloras from Antarctica th e Mackellar assemblage is most similar to Kyle's ''Parasaccites Zone'' . Based on the occurrence of several miospore taxa the Mackellar palyn omorphs suggest biostratigraphic correlation with Stage 2 in Eastern A ustralia; the Lower Permian (Sakmarian) of the Perth Basin, Western Au stralia; the Talchir Formation (Lower Permian-Sakmarian) South Rewa Go ndwana Basin, India; and the Tobra Formation (Lower Permian-Sakmarian) Western Salt Range, Pakistan. The recovery of palynomorphs from the M ackellar Formation not only increases the biostratigraphic resolution in Antarctica, but increases the probability that other ''barren'' for mations may also contain recoverable palynomorphs.