A compilation and review of the literature on Triassic, Jurassic, and earliest Cretaceous dinoflagellate cysts

Triassic and Jurassic dinoflagellate cysts are ideal index fossils because they are typically geographically extensive, and many taxa have relatively short ranges and/or well‐defined range tops/bases. Consequently they are extensively utilized in geological problem‐solving in both the industrial and academic spheres. A comprehensive list of the literature on Triassic to earliest Cretaceous organic‐walled dinoflagellate cysts comprises 1347 publications with every continent being represented. The most significant publications are highlighted with an asterisk and each item of literature is briefly described by the use of a string of keywords that indicate the scientific scope, the stratigraphic interval covered, and the geographic focus. These publications are dominated (45.4%) by contributions from West Europe, where the type sections are all located. The next best‐studied regions are the Arctic (7.5%), Australasia (7.1%), and East Europe (5.5%). Other regions, namely Africa, Central America, North America, South America, Antarctica, China, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and Russia, each represent less than 5% of the literature on this topic. Most publications are focused on the Late Jurassic. This is largely because of the extensive nature of Upper Jurassic marine strata and the diverse nature of Late Jurassic dinoflagellate cysts.