The Evergreen Formation is a Pliensbachian to Toarcian geologic formation of the Surat Basin in New South Wales and Queensland, eastern Australia. Traditionally it has been considered to be a unit whose age has been calculated in between the Pliensbachian and Toarcian stages of the Early Jurassic, with some layers suggested to reach the Aalenian stage of the Middle Jurassic, yet modern data has found that an Early Pliensbachian to Latest Toarcian age is more possible. The formation was named due to the "Evergreen Shales", defined with a lower unit, the Boxvale Sandstone, and a partially coeval, partially younger upper unit, the Westgrove Ironstone Member. This unit overlies the Hettangian-Sinemurian Precipice Sandstone, as well several informal units such as the Nogo Beds, and Narayen beds, as well Torsdale Volcanics. This unit likely was deposited in a massive lacustrine body with possible marine environment influences.

Fossil content

Indeterminate Unionoid bivalves are known from the Kolane Station.

Ichnofossils

GenusSpeciesTypeLocationMaterialOriginImages
AsterosomaA. isp.FodinichniaChinchilla 4 Borehole Condabri MB9-H Borehole Kenya East GW7 Borehole Moonie 31 Borehole Moonie 34 Borehole Reedy Creek MB3-H Borehole Roma 8 Borehole Taroom 17 Borehole West Wandoan 1 Borehole Woleebee Creek GW4 BoreholeRadiating bulb-like swelling burrowsAnnelid worm, vermiform organism
ConichnusC. isp.Domichnia CubichniatrailsGastropods
CylindrichnusC. isp.DomichniaLong, subconical, weakly curved burrowsAnemones Polychaete worms
DiplocraterionD. parallelumDomichniaU-shaped burrowsPolychaeta annelids (Axiothella, Abarenicola and Scolecolepis) Sipunculans (Sipunculus) Enteropneustans (Balanoglossus) Echiurans (Urechis).Diplocraterion parallelum diagram
HelminthopsisH. isp.FodinichniaSimple, unbranched, horizontal cylinder tracesPolychaetes PriapulidsExample of Helminthopsis fossil
LockeiaL. amygdaloides L. isp.Cubichnia DomichniaDwelling tracesBivalves
NaktodemasisN. isp.FodinichniaStraight to sinuous, unlined and unbranched burrowsSoil bugs Cicada nymphs Scarabaeid beetle larvae
PalaeophycusP. tubularisDomichniaStraight or gently curved tubular burrows.Polychaetes Semiaquatic Insects (Orthoptera and Hemiptera) Semiaquatic and non-aquatic Beetles.Example of Palaeophycus fossil
PhycosiphonP. isp.FodinichniaIrregularly meandering burrowsVermiform Animals
PlanolitesP. montanus P. beverleyensis P. isp.PascichniaCylindrical or elliptical curved/tortuous trace fossilsPolychaetes InsectsExample of Planolites fossil
ScoliciaS. isp.CubichniaSymmetrical trail or burrowGastropodsScolicia trails
SkolithosS. isp.DomichniaCylindrical strands with branchesPolychaetes Phoronidans
SiphonichnusS. ophthalmoidesDomichniaCylindrical strands with branchesPolychaetes Phoronidans
TaenidiumT. serpentinum T. isp.FodinichniaUnlined meniscate burrowsDeposit-feeding Sipuncula Polychaetes Phoronidans
ThalassinoidesT. isp.Tubular FodinichniaTubular BurrowsThalassinidea Several Crustaceans (Anomura, Decapoda) Annelids (Polychaeta Sipuncula DipnoiThalassinoides burrowing structures, with modern related fauna, showing the ecological convergence and the variety of animals that left this Ichnogenus.
TeichichnusT. isp.FodinichniaVertical to oblique, unbranched or branched, elongated to arcuate spreite burrowPolychaetes Dwelling Echiurans Dwelling Holothurians.Teichichnus burrows

Diplopoda

GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
DecorotergumD. warrenaeKolane Station, 58 km ENE of TaroomWestgrove Ironstone MemberIncomplete specimens: QMF12294, QMF12295 and one small fragment of a third specimen, QMF12296A millipede whose affinities are controversial. It may be an Oniscomorpha of the order Amynilyspedida family Amynilyspedidae or a member of the order PolydesmidaExtant example of the order Amynilyspedida, Glomeris

Vertebrata

GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
PlesiosauriaIndeterminateKolane Station, 58 km ENE of TaroomWestgrove Ironstone MemberQM F10440, Limb, girdle and vertebral fragments from a single skeleton QM F10441, partial skeletonA Freshwater Plesiosaur with affinities with Pliosauridae and Neoplesiosauria
SideropsS. kehliKolane Station, 58 km ENE of TaroomWestgrove Ironstone MemberQM F7822, nearly complete skull with mandible and postcraniaA gigantic chigutisaurid temnospondyl, representing a relictual genus isolated in the Australian Ecoregion, as well one of the largest Mesozoic amphibiansRestoration of Siderops kehli

Phytoplankton

GenusSpeciesStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
ChomotriletesC. triangularisGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Zygnemataceae. A genus derived from freshwater filamentous or unicellular, uniseriate (unbranched) green algae.

Bryophyta

GenusSpeciesStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
AnapiculatisporitesA. dawsonensis A. pristidentatusGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesIncertae sedis; affinities with Bryophyta.
CingutriletesC. clavus C. parvusGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesIncertae sedis; affinities with Bryophyta.
DistalanulisporitesD. punctus D. verrucosusGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Sphagnaceae in the Sphagnopsida.
ForaminisporisF. spp.Chinchilla 4 Borehole Condabri MB9-H Borehole Kenya East GW7 Borehole Moonie 31 Borehole Reedy Creek MB3-H Borehole Roma 8 Borehole Taroom 17 Borehole West Wandoan 1 Borehole Woleebee Creek GW4 BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Notothyladaceae in the Anthocerotopsida.
NevesisporitesN. vallatusBoxvale Area Chinchilla 4 Borehole Condabri MB9-H Borehole GSQ Mundubera Borehole Kenya East GW7 Borehole Moonie 31 Borehole Reedy Creek MB3-H Borehole Roma 8 Borehole Taroom 17 Borehole West Wandoan 1 BoreholeSporesIncertae sedis; affinities with Bryophyta. This spore is found in Jurassic sediments associated with the polar regions.
PolycingulatisporitesP. crenulatus P. densatus P. mooniensis P. triangularis P. tortuosusBoxvale Area Chinchilla 4 Borehole Condabri MB9-H Borehole GSQ Mundubera Borehole Kenya East GW7 Borehole Moonie 31 Borehole Reedy Creek MB3-H Borehole Roma 8 Borehole Taroom 17 Borehole West Wandoan 1 Borehole Woleebee Creek GW4 BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Notothyladaceae in the Anthocerotopsida. Hornwort spores.Extant Notothylas specimens
RogalskaisporitesR. cicatricosus R. multicicatricosusGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Sphagnaceae in the Sphagnopsida.
StereisporitesS. antiquasporites S. radiatusBoxvale Area GSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Sphagnaceae in the Sphagnopsida. "Peat moss" spores, related to genera such as Sphagnum that can store large amounts of water.Extant Sphagnum specimens
StaplinisporitesS. caminus S. manifestus S. pocockiiBoxvale Area GSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Encalyptaceae in the Bryopsida. Branching moss spores, indicating high water-depleting environments.Extant Encalypta specimens; Staplinisporites probably come from similar genera

Lycophyta

GenusSpeciesStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
AntulsporitesA. granulatus A. saevus A. varigranulatus A. spp.GSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the Selaginellaceae in the Lycopsida.
ApiculatisporisA. spp.GSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesIncertae sedis; affinities with Lycopodiopsida
CadargasporitesC. baculatus C. granulatus C. reticulatusBoxvale Area Chinchilla 4 Borehole Condabri MB9-H Borehole GSQ Mundubera Borehole Kenya East GW7 Borehole Moonie 31 Borehole Reedy Creek MB3-H Borehole Roma 8 Borehole Taroom 17 Borehole West Wandoan 1 Borehole Woleebee Creek GW4 BoreholeSporesAffinities with the Selaginellaceae in the Lycopsida. Herbaceous lycophyte flora, similar to ferns, found in humid settings. This family of spores are also the most diverse in the formation.Extant Selaginella, typical example of Selaginellaceae
CamarozonosporitesC. clivosus C. ramosus C. rudis C. spp.Boxvale Area Chinchilla 4 Borehole Condabri MB9-H Borehole GSQ Mundubera Borehole Kenya East GW7 Borehole Moonie 31 Borehole Reedy Creek MB3-H Borehole Roma 8 Borehole Taroom 17 Borehole West Wandoan 1 Borehole Woleebee Creek GW4 BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Lycopodiaceae in the Lycopodiopsida. Lycopod spores, related to herbaceous to arbustive flora common in humid environments.
DictyotosporitesD. sandranaGSQ DRD 22SporesIncertae sedis; affinities with Lycopodiopsida.
LycopodiumsporitesL. austroclavatidites L. circolumenus L. rosewoodensis L. semimuris L. triangularisBoxvale Area GSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Lycopodiaceae in the Lycopodiopsida. Lycopod spores, related to herbaceous to arbustive flora common in humid environments.Extant Lycopodium specimens
NeoraistrickiaN. elongata N. suratensis N. truncata N. spp.GSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the Selaginellaceae in the Lycopsida.
PunctatosporitesP. walkomiiBoxvale AreaSporesIncertae sedis; affinities with Lycopodiopsida.
RetitriletesR. austroclavatidites R. huttonensis R. rosewoodensis R. semimurusGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Lycopodiaceae in the Lycopodiopsida.
LycopodiumsporitesS. pseudoalveolatusGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Lycopodiaceae in the Lycopodiopsida. Lycopod spores, related to herbaceous to arbustive flora common in humid environments.
UvaesporitesU. verrucosusGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the Selaginellaceae in the Lycopsida.

Pteridophyta

GenusSpeciesStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
AnnulisporaA. altmarkensis A. badia A. densata A. folliculosa A. microannulata A. radiata A. triangularis A. spp.Boxvale area GSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the genus Saccoloma, type representative of the family Saccolomataceae. This fern spore resembles those of the living genus Saccoloma, being probably from a pantropical genus found in wet, shaded forest areas.Extant Saccoloma specimens; Annulispora probably comes from similar genera or maybe a species in the genus
BaculatisporitesB. comaumensisBoxvale area GSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Osmundaceae in the Polypodiopsida. Near fluvial current ferns, related to the modern Osmunda regalis.Extant Osmunda specimens; Baculatisporites and Todisporites probably come from similar genera or maybe a species from the genus
BiretisporitesB. modestusGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the Marattiaceae in the Polypodiopsida. Fern spores from low herbaceous flora.
CingulatisporitesC. caminusGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesIncertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta
ClavatisporitesC. hammeniiGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesIncertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta
CyathiditesC. australis C. minorGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Cyatheaceae in the Cyatheales. Arboreal fern spores.Extant Cyathea
DictyophylliditesD. mortoniBoxvale areaSporesAffinities with the family Matoniaceae in the Gleicheniales.
DuplexisporitesD. problematicus D. spp.GSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesIncertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta
FoveosporitesF. moretonensisGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesIncertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta
GleicheniiditesG. senonicus G. spp.Boxvale area GSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the Gleicheniales in the Polypodiopsida. Fern spores from low herbaceous flora.Extant Gleichenia specimens; Gleicheniidites probably come from similar genera or maybe a species in the genus
GranulatisporitesG. spp.GSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the Pteridaceae in the Polypodiopsida. Forest ferns from humid ground locations.Extant Pityrogramma specimens
HeliosporitesH. sppGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesIncertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta
IschyosporitesI. marburgensis I. surangulusBoxvale area GSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesIncertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta
LeiotriletesL. directus L. magnusGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesIncertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta
LeptolepiditesL. major L. verrucatusGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Dennstaedtiaceae in the Polypodiales. Forest fern spores.Extant Dennstaedtia specimens; Leptolepidites probably comes from similar genera
MatonisporitesM. sppBoxvale area GSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Matoniaceae in the Gleicheniales.
OsmundaciditesO. wellmaniiGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Osmundaceae in the Polypodiopsida. Near fluvial current ferns, related to the modern Osmunda regalis.
PeroaletesP. rugosusGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesIncertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta
PerotrilitesP. tenuisGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesIncertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta
PolypodiisporitesP. ipsviciensisGSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Dennstaedtiaceae in the Polypodiales. Forest fern spores.
RugulatisporitesR. ramosus R. spp.GSQ Mundubera BoreholeSporesAffinities with the family Osmundaceae in the Polypodiopsida. Near fluvial current ferns, related to the modern Osmunda regalis.

Peltaspermales

GenusSpeciesStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
AlisporitesA. australis A. lowoodensis A. similisBoxvale AreaPollenAffinities with the families Peltaspermaceae, Corystospermaceae or Umkomasiaceae in the Peltaspermales. Pollen of uncertain provenance that can be derived from any of the members of the Peltaspermales. The lack of distinctive characters and poor conservation make this pollen difficult to classify. Arboreal to arbustive seed ferns.
KekryphalosporaK. distinctaChinchilla 4 Borehole Condabri MB9-H Borehole Kenya East GW7 Borehole Moonie 31 Borehole Reedy Creek MB3-H Borehole Roma 8 Borehole Taroom 17 Borehole West Wandoan 1 Borehole Woleebee Creek GW4 BoreholePollenAffinities with the families Peltaspermaceae, Corystospermaceae or Umkomasiaceae in the Peltaspermales. Extremely abundant
VitreisporitesV. contectus V. pallidusBoxvale Area GSQ Mundubera BoreholePollenFrom the family Caytoniaceae in the Caytoniales. Caytoniaceae are a complex group of Mesozoic fossil floras that may be related to both Peltaspermales and Ginkgoaceae.

Cycadophyta

GenusSpeciesStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
CycadopitesC. crassimarginis C. granulatus C. infirmus C. nitidusGSQ Mundubera BoreholePollenAffinities with the family Cycadaceae in the Cycadales or with Cycadaceae and Bennettitaceae. It has been found associated with the Bennetite pollen cone BennettistemonExtant Cycas platyphylla

Conifers

GenusSpeciesStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
AraucariacitesA. australis A. fissusChinchilla 4 Borehole GSQ Mundubera BoreholePollenAffinities with the family Araucariaceae in the Pinales. Conifer pollen from medium to large arboreal plants.Extant Araucaria. Callialasporites may come from a related plant
CallialasporitesC. dampierii C. turbatus C. propinquivellersisChinchilla 4 Borehole Kenya East GW7 Borehole GSQ DRD 24PollenAffinities with the family Araucariaceae in the Pinales. Conifer pollen from medium to large arboreal plants.
ClassopollisC. classoides C. meyeriana C. simplex C. spp.Boxvale Area Chinchilla 4 Borehole Condabri MB9-H Borehole GSQ Mundubera Borehole Kenya East GW7 Borehole Moonie 31 Borehole Reedy Creek MB3-H Borehole Roma 8 Borehole Taroom 17 Borehole West Wandoan 1 Borehole Woleebee Creek GW4 BoreholePollenAffinities with the Hirmeriellaceae in the Pinopsida.
InaperturopollenitesI. turbatus I. spp.Boxvale Area GSQ Mundubera BoreholePollenAffinities with the Pinidae inside Coniferae.Extant Pinus cembra Cone, example of the Pinidae. Inaperturopollenites is similar to the pollen found on this genus
IndusiisporitesI. parvisaccatusBoxvale Area GSQ Mundubera BoreholePollenAffinities with the family Podocarpaceae inside Coniferae.
PerinopollenitesP. elatoidesBoxvale Area Chinchilla 4 Borehole Condabri MB9-H Borehole GSQ Mundubera Borehole Kenya East GW7 Borehole Moonie 31 Borehole Reedy Creek MB3-H Borehole Roma 8 Borehole Taroom 17 Borehole West Wandoan 1 Borehole Woleebee Creek GW4 BoreholePollenAffinities with the family Cupressaceae in the Pinopsida. Pollen that resembles that of extant genera such as the genus Actinostrobus and Austrocedrus, probably derived from dry environments.Extant Austrocedrus
PodocarpiditesP. ellipticusGSQ Mundubera BoreholePollenAffinities with the family Podocarpaceae. Pollen from diverse types of Podocarpaceous conifers, that include morphotypes similar to the low arbustive Microcachrys and the medium arbustive Lepidothamnus, likely linked with Upland settingsExtant Microcachrys
PodosporitesP. spp.Boxvale Area GSQ Mundubera BoreholePollenAffinities with the family Podocarpaceae.
TrisaccitesT. variabilisGSQ Mundubera BoreholePollenAffinities with the family Podocarpaceae.
ZonalapollenitesZ. dampieri Z. segmentatus Z. trilobatusBoxvale Area GSQ Mundubera BoreholePollenAffinities with the family Pinaceae in the Pinopsida. Conifer pollen from medium to large arboreal plants.Extant Picea.

Further reading

  • Warren, A. (1977). . Nature. 265 (2): 436–437. Bibcode:. doi:.