Research-paper
The role of dinoflagellate cysts in the biostratigraphical subdivision of the Jurassic System
Riding, James B.; Sarjeant, William A. S.
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Abstract
Though Jurassic dinoflagellate cysts have been known since 1843, their employment in biostratigraphy did not begin until the late 1950's. Since that time, knowledge of them has grown at an ever-accelerating pace, particularly as a consequence of their importance in the correlation of uncored boreholes and thus in offshore exploration for hydrocarbons. Although it is considered that an ammonite-based orthochronology should be maintained for the Jurassic, the practical utility of a dinoflagellate cyst parachronology is emphasised. A chart is presented, on which the ranges of the "top 50" stratigraphically important dinoflagellate cysts are shown; but all taxa present in any particular assemblage should be utilised for accurate stratigraphical zonation.