The Grünbach Formation is an Austrian geological formation that dates to the early Campanian age of the Late Cretaceous. it forms part of the Gosau Group, and represents a marine regression event, representing a coastal/brackish environment, being underlain by the marine carbonate Maiersdorf Formation and overlain by the deep marine siliciclastic Piesting Formation. The main lithology is clay, marl, siltstone and sandstone, with a minor conglomerate component. Coal seams have also been noted.[1][2] It is notable for its fossils including those of dinosaurs and plants.
Vertebrate paleofauna
All remains have been found at a single locality, which is a thin marl seam in the Konstantin mining tunnel, within the Felbering Mine in the Neue Welt area north west of Muthmannsdorf in Lower Austria.[3] The initial remains were discovered in 1859 after an ornithopod tooth was found in a piece of coal in a dump outside the mine by Professor Ferdinand Stoliczka, and the productive seam discovered thereafter. The first material was described by Emanuel Bunzel in 1871[4] and then additional material was described by Harry Seeley in 1881.[5] Due to mining activity in the area ceasing at the end of the 19th century, no additional remains have been recovered since.
Squamates
| Squamates of the Grünbach Formation
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| Genus
|
Species
|
Location
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Stratigraphic position
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Abundance
|
Notes
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Images
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| Araeosaurus
|
A. gracilis
|
Muthmannsdorf
|
|
Vertebra[5]
|
|
|
Crocodyliformes
| Crocodyliformes of the Grünbach Formation
|
| Genus
|
Species
|
Location
|
Stratigraphic position
|
Abundance
|
Notes
|
Images
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| Doratodon
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D. carcharidens
|
Muthmannsdorf
|
|
"incomplete mandible, a fragmentary right maxilla, a parietal fragment, and isolated teeth"[6]
|
|
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| Eusuchia
|
Indeterminate
|
Muthmannsdorf
|
|
"mandible fragment and some postcranial material"
|
|
|
Choristoderes
| Choristoderes of the Grünbach Formation
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| Genus
|
Species
|
Location
|
Stratigraphic position
|
Abundance
|
Notes
|
Images
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| Choristodera
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Indeterminate
|
Muthmannsdorf
|
|
"Two platycoelous vertebral centra"[7]
|
|
|
Turtles
| Turtles of the Grünbach Formation
|
| Genus
|
Species
|
Location
|
Stratigraphic position
|
Abundance
|
Notes
|
Images
|
| Dortokidae[8]
|
Indeterminate
|
Muthmannsdorf
|
|
Shell fragments
|
|
|
| cf. Kallokibotioninae
|
Indeterminate
|
Muthmannsdorf
|
|
Shell fragments
|
|
|
Pterosaurs
| Pterosaurs of the Grünbach Formation
|
| Genus
|
Species
|
Location
|
Stratigraphic position
|
Abundance
|
Notes
|
Images
|
| "Ornithocheirus"
|
"O". buenzeli
|
Muthmannsdorf
|
|
|
Remains found not diagnostic, remains referred to Azdarchidae and Pterodactyloidea indet.
|
|
| Azdarchidae
|
Indeterminate
|
Muthmannsdorf
|
|
"Proximal portion of a humerus"[9]
|
Previously referred to "O". buenzeli
|
|
| Pterodactyloidea
|
Indeterminate
|
Muthmannsdorf
|
|
"Articular region of a lower jaw, crushed phalangeal fragments"
|
Previously referred to "O". buenzeli
|
|
Non-avian dinosaurs
| Dinosaurs of the Grünbach Formation
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| Genus
|
Species
|
Location
|
Stratigraphic position
|
Abundance
|
Notes
|
Images
|
| Mochlodon
|
M. suessi
|
Muthmannsdorf
|
|
Cranial and postcranial elements
|
|
|
| Struthiosaurus
|
S. austriacus
|
Muthmannsdorf
|
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Cranial and postcranial elements
|
|
|
| Tetanurae
|
Indeterminate
|
Muthmannsdorf
|
|
"Two fragmentary teeth"
|
Referred to by the dubious name ‘Megalosaurus pannoniensis’[5] Nearly identical to teeth known from the Csehbánya Formation[10]
|
|
Flora
Most of these specimens were recovered from mining dumps near Grünbach am Schneeberg in lower Austria. The flora of the formation is considered to represent that of a high humidity subtropical climate, typical of the Euro-Sinian phytogeographical region.[11][12][13]Template:Paleobiota-key-compact
Bryophytes
| Bryophytes of the Grünbach Formation
|
| Genus
|
Species
|
Location
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Stratigraphic Position
|
Material
|
Notes
|
Images
|
| Stereisporites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Spore, representative of Sphagnaceae
|
|
Lycopodiophyta
| Lycopodiophytes of the Grünbach Formation
|
| Genus
|
Species
|
Location
|
Stratigraphic Position
|
Material
|
Notes
|
Images
|
| Camarozonosporites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Spore, representative of Lycopodiaceae
|
|
| Retitriletes
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Spore, representative of Lycopodium
|
|
Pteridophytes
| Pteridophytes of the Grünbach Formation
|
| Genus
|
Species
|
Location
|
Stratigraphic Position
|
Material
|
Notes
|
Images
|
| Appendicisporites
|
A. tricuspidatus
|
|
|
|
Spore, probable affinities with Schizaeaceae
|
|
| Cicatricosisporites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Spore, probable affinities with Schizaeaceae
|
|
| Cingulatisporites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Spore, affinities with Anemia
|
|
| Cladophlebis
|
C. gosauensis
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Coniopteris
|
?
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cyathidites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Spore
|
|
| Echinatisporites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Spore
|
|
| Equisetites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
A horsetail
|
|
| Gosauopteris
|
G. danaeoides
|
|
|
|
Probable affinities with Marattiaceae
|
|
| Gleicheniidites
|
G. senonicus
|
|
|
|
Spore
|
|
| Leiotriletes
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Spore, representative of Lygodium
|
|
| Marsileaceaephyllum
|
M. campanica
|
|
|
|
Marsileaceae, very similar to extant Marsilea
|
|
| Matonisporites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Spore, Found in situ with Monheimia
|
|
| Microphyllopteris
|
M. austriaca
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Microtaenia
|
M. austriaca
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Monheimia
|
M. ungerii
|
|
|
|
affinities with Matoniaceae, particularly Phanerosorus
|
|
| Polypodiaceoisporites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Spore
|
|
| Raphaelia
|
R. lobifolia
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Sphenopteris
|
S. gruenbachiana, S. ungeri
|
|
|
|
Probable affinities with Schizaeaceae
|
|
Gymnosperms
| Gymnosperms of the Grünbach Formation
|
| Genus
|
Species
|
Location
|
Stratigraphic Position
|
Material
|
Notes
|
Images
|
| Geinitzia
|
G. formosa, G. reichenbachii
|
|
|
|
Pinopsida, Taxodioid affinity
|
|
| cf. Lindleycladus
|
L. lanceolatus
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Nilsonia
|
N. cf. holyi
|
|
|
|
Bennettitales
|
|
| Pagiophyllum
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Pityosporites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen
|
|
| Podozamites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Taxiodiaceaepollenites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen, at least 2 taxa
|
|
Angiosperms
Monocots
| Monocots of the Grünbach Formation
|
| Genus
|
Species
|
Location
|
Stratigraphic Position
|
Material
|
Notes
|
Images
|
| Arecipites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen, representative of Palmae
|
|
| Lysichiton
|
L. austriacus
|
|
|
|
Araceae, genus extant
|
|
| Gruenbachia
|
G. pandanoides
|
|
|
|
Pandanaceae, reproductive organs of Pandanites
|
|
| Pandanites
|
P. trinervis
|
|
|
|
Pandanaceae
|
|
| Sabalites
|
S. longirhachis
|
|
|
|
Palm
|
|
| Spinizonocolpites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen, representative of extant Nypa palm
|
|
| Theiaiphyllum
|
T. kollmannii
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dicots
| Dicots of the Grünbach Formation
|
| Genus
|
Species
|
Location
|
Stratigraphic Position
|
Material
|
Notes
|
Images
|
| Brasenites
|
B. krasserii
|
|
|
|
affinity with Brasenia
|
|
| Celastrophyllum
|
Indeterminate, C. johannae
|
|
|
|
Hamamelidae
|
|
| Ceratoxylon
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Reproductive structure
|
|
| Clavatipollenites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen, representative of Chloranthaceae
|
|
| Complexiopollis
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen, affinities with Myricaceae
|
|
| Compositiphyllum
|
C. serratum
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Debeya
|
D. insignis
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dicotylophyllum
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ettingshausenia
|
E. gruenbachiana, E. cf. laevis, Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Platanaceae
|
|
| Extremipollis
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen
|
|
| Grebenkia
|
G. europeica
|
|
|
|
|
|
| cf. Grevilleophyllum
|
G. constans
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Hungaropollis
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen
|
|
| Juglandiphyllites
|
J. pelagicus
|
|
|
|
possible affinity with Juglandaceae
|
|
| Krutzschipollites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen
|
|
| Laudaypollis
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen
|
|
| Leguminosites
|
L. mucronata
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Longanulipollis
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen
|
|
| Menispermites
|
M. ettingshausenii, M. summesbergerii
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Momipetes
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen, similar to extant Engelhardtia
|
|
| Myricophyllum
|
M. cf. zenkeri, M. serratum
|
|
|
|
Affinities with Myrica
|
|
| Myrtacaedites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen, Representative of Myrtaceae
|
|
| Normapolles
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen, very abundant. possibly associated with Juglandaceae
|
|
| Oculipollis
|
O. sp, O. parvoculus O.zaklinskaiaiae
|
|
|
|
Pollen
|
|
| cf. Pandemophyllum
|
Indeterminate, P. cf. proteoides
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Pseudoplicapollis
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen
|
|
| Quereuxia
|
Q. angulata
|
|
|
|
Possible affinity with Trapa
|
|
| Rogersia
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Semioculipollis
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen
|
|
| Suemegipollis
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen
|
|
| Ternstroemites
|
T. (?) neueweltensis
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tricolpopollenites
|
Indeterminate
|
|
|
|
Pollen, At least 8 distinct taxa
|
|
| Viburniphyllum
|
V. ermannii, V. austriacum
|
|
|
|
|
|
References
- ↑ Draganits, Erich; Wagreich, Michael; Hofer, Gerald; Hofmann, Christa-Charlotte; Reischenbacher, Doris; Grundtner, Marie-Louise; Neuhuber, Stephanie; Bottig, Magda (2011). "Stratigraphy and geochemical characterisation of Upper Cretaceous non-marine - marine cycles (Grünbach Formation, Gosau Group, Austria". Austrian Journal of Earth Sciences 104 (2): 90–107. https://www.academia.edu/20343512.
- ↑ Grundtner, Marie-Louise (2011). Sedimentologie und Sedimentpetrographie der Gosau-Gruppe bei Dreistetten-Muthmannsdorf (Niederösterreichische Kalkalpen) (Master's thesis). University of Vienna. pp. 21–35, 51–57, 71. doi:10.25365/thesis.17461.
- ↑ Sachs, Sven; Hornung, Jahn J. (May 2006). "Juvenile ornithopod (Dinosauria: Rhabdodontidae) remains from the Upper Cretaceous (Lower Campanian, Gosau Group) of Muthmannsdorf (Lower Austria)". Geobios 39 (3): 415–425. doi:10.1016/j.geobios.2005.01.003. ISSN 0016-6995.
- ↑ Bunzel, Emanuel (1871). "Die Reptilfauna der Gosau-Formation in der Neuen Welt bei Wiener-Neustadt". Abhandlungen der Kaiserlich-königlichen Geologischen Reichsanstalt 5: 1–18.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Seeley, H. G. (1881-02-01). "The Reptile Fauna of the Gosau Formation preserved in the Geological Museum of the University of Vienna: With a Note on the Geological Horizon of the Fossils at Neue Welt, west of Wiener Neustadt, by Edw. Suess, Ph.D., F.M.G.S., &c., Professor of Geology in the University of Vienna, &c". Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society 37 (1–4): 620–706. doi:10.1144/GSL.JGS.1881.037.01-04.49. ISSN 0370-291X.
- ↑ Buffetaut, Eric (1979). "Revision der Crocodylia (Reptilia) aus den Gosau-Schichten (Ober-Kreide) von Österreich". Beiträge zur Paläontologie von Österreich 6: 89–105.
- ↑ Buffetaut, Eric (1989). "Erster nachweis von Choristodera (Reptilia, Diapsida) in der Oberkreide Europas: Champsosaurierwirbel aus den Gosau-Schichten (Campan) Niederösterreichs". Sitzungsberichten der Österreichs Akademis der Wissenschaften Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Klasse, Abteilung 197: 389–394.
- ↑ Rabi, Márton; Vremir, Mátyás; Tong, Haiyan (2012-09-01), "Preliminary Overview of Late Cretaceous Turtle Diversity in Eastern Central Europe (Austria, Hungary, and Romania)", Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology (Springer Netherlands): pp. 307–336, doi:10.1007/978-94-007-4309-0_19, ISBN 9789400743083
- ↑ Buffetaut, Eric; Ősi, Attila; Prondvai, Edina (March 2011). "The pterosaurian remains from the Grünbach Formation (Campanian, Gosau Group) of Austria: a reappraisal of 'Ornithocheirus buenzeli'". Geological Magazine 148 (2): 334–339. doi:10.1017/S0016756810000981. ISSN 1469-5081. Bibcode: 2011GeoM..148..334B.
- ↑ Csiki-Sava, Zoltan; Buffetaut, Eric; Ősi, Attila; Pereda-Suberbiola, Xabier; Brusatte, Stephen L. (2015-01-08). "Island life in the Cretaceous - faunal composition, biogeography, evolution, and extinction of land-living vertebrates on the Late Cretaceous European archipelago". ZooKeys (469): 1–161. doi:10.3897/zookeys.469.8439. ISSN 1313-2970. PMID 25610343. PMC 4296572. https://zookeys.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=4474.
- ↑ Herman, Alexei B.; KVAČEK, JIŘÍ (2007). "Early Campanian Grünbach flora of Austria: systematic composition and palaeoclimatic interpretations". Acta Palaeobotanica 47 (1): 37–55. http://bomax.botany.pl/cgi-bin/pubs/data/article_pdf?id=990.
- ↑ KVACEK, JIRÍ; HERMAN, ALEXEI (2004). "The Campanian Grünbach Flora of Lower Austria: palaeoecological interpretations". Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien 106 A. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285820884.
- ↑ B., Herman, Alexei (2010). Late Cretaceous Grünbach Flora of Austria. Kvaček, Jiří.. Wien: Naturhistorisches Museum. ISBN 9783902421432. OCLC 517260675.
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