Middle–late Cambrian acritarchs of the Zagros Basin, southwestern Iran

A detailed palynological study was conducted in the lower Palaeozoic of the Zagros Basin (southwestern Iran) where the Mila and Ilbeyk formations are present in several areas. The Mila Formation mainly consists of dolostones, limestones and shales deposited in a shallow marine to outer ramp environment. It is conformably overlain by the Ilbeyk Formation, characterised by shales and sandstones with scattered limestone intervals deposited in a setting extending from shoreface to low-energy offshore environments. The palynological investigation of the Mila and Ilbeyk formations from the Chalisheh, Ghalikuh and Oshtorankuh areas allows the establishment of three palynozones. These can be well correlated with the palynozonations from adjacent areas and/or with middle–late Cambrian sections independently dated with trilobites. These correlations are useful for the age determination of the Cambrian successions from southern Iran. The Cambrian assemblages exhibit close affinities with microfloras from peri-Gondwana (including the countries belonging to the Avalonia microcontinent in the Early Ordovician) and Baltica, confirming that these palaeogeographical domains were part of the same large bioprovince, as shown in current palaeogeographical maps.