Palynomorphs in the Llandovery black shale sequence of the Prague Basin (Barrandian area, Bohemia)

Acid-resistant palynomorphs and amorphous organic particles from the Llandovery black shales and uppermost Ordovician and Llandovery light claystones of the Prague Basin (Barrandian area, Bohemia) were examined. Palynospectra obtained from black graptolitic shales and light-grey claystones differed. Causes of this difference are proposed and illustrated. Some selected processes of the palynomorph destruction in the black shales are discussed. The model of black shale depositional environment is characterized as a “preservation model”. Fifteen acritarch species from the Glyptograptus persculptus Zone and twenty-eight from the Akidograptus acuminatus Zone are described.