Taphonomy, sedimentology and genesis of plant fossil deposit types in Lettenkohle (Lower Keuper) and Schilfsandstein (Middle Keuper) in Lower Franconia (Germany)

The plant fossils in the fluvial Lettenkohle (Lower Keuper) and Schilfsandstein (Middle Keuper) in the Upper Triassic in Lower Franconia (Germany) are enriched in different plant taphofacies which include main channel sandstone deposits, waning-flow mudstone deposits, crevasse-splay sandstone deposits, levee sandstone deposits, pond coal deposits, floodplain mudstone deposits, marine carbonate deposits, palaeosol (root horizon) deposits and intraformational reworking horizon deposits. The plant taphofacies are discussed in light of palaeoecological and taphonomical modelling, and the hosting rocks are assessed in terms of palaeoenvironmental interpretation of the sedimentary facies. The plant fossil deposit types in Lettenkohle and Schilfsandstein are also developed in all the other stratigraphical stages of the Keuper which is outlined by comparative evaluation. Lists of References, Key Words and Illustrations. 523 References.