Palynology of samples from Cwm Llwyd, Carmarthenshire

Four samples from the Carboniferous rocks of the Cwm Llwyd Outlier, Carmarthenshire were supplied by Dr Peter Walsh for palynological analysis. The samples yielded sparse organic residues and contained extremely poorly preserved palynomorph assemblages which were dark due to high thermal maturity and which contained evidence of pyrite damage. The assemblage from MPA 51095 (SO, SN 7104 1870) allows the most precise date. In this sample, the presence of Lycospora pusilla and Crassispora kosankei suggest a maximum age range of Namurian to Stephanian (NC to NBM Biozones, Clayton et al. 1977). The presence in MPA 51095 of a possible specimen of Dictyotriletes bireticulatus might suggest a slightly more precise age, within that range, of Namurian C (Yeadonian) to Westphalian C, but this must be considered tentative.