Figure 3.

Generalized stratigraphic distribution of selected latest Permian and Early/Middle Triassic spore and pollen types in Europe. For information on the botanical affinity of the spores and pollen, see Table 1. The ecologic crisis and associated conifer extinction is marked by a proliferation of fungal remains (9, 11, 86). It should be noted that first appearance of the conodont Hindeodus parvus is presently recommended to mark the onset of the Triassic (87). One of the implications of this definition is that the crisis occurred before the P–Tr boundary, rather than at the boundary. Preceding the successional recovery of conifer-dominant vegetation, postcrisis repopulation is characterized by a prolonged bryophyte/lycopsid-dominant survival phase (terminology after refs. 3–6). For absolute age estimates, see text.