Integrated Miospore–Chitinozoan Biozonation of the Parnaíba Basin and Its Correlation with Petrobras (Müller 1962) Silurian – Lower Carboniferous Palynozones

PETROBRAS regional palynozones for the Silurian through Lower Carboniferous strata of the Parnaíba Basin (formerly Maranhão Basin in the early Brazilian geological literature) are reviewed and compared with updated miospore and chitinozoan zonal schemes proposed herein and in recent papers. The studied interval corresponds to PETROBRAS palynozones N through T (in descending stratigraphic order). Their age can be ascertained by miospores from late Emsian to late Viséan, and by chitinozoans from late middle Llandovery through at least early late Famennian. Intensive reworking of Devonian palynomorphs is evident in latest Famennian strata in response to a coeval glacial episode documented in northern Brazil.