DINOSTRAT: a global database of the stratigraphic and paleolatitudinal distribution of Mesozoic–Cenozoic organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts

Abstract. Mesozoic–Cenozoic organic-walled dinoflagellate cyst (dinocyst) biostratigraphy is a crucial tool for relative and numerical age control in complex ancient sedimentary systems. However, stratigraphic ranges of dinocysts are found to be strongly diachronous geographically. A global compilation state-of-the-art calibrated regional could assist quantifying differences evaluating underlying causes. For this reason, DINOSTRAT here introduced – an open-source, iterative, community-fed database intended house all chronostratigraphic calibrations dinocyst events (https://github.com/bijlpeter83/DINOSTRAT.git, last access: 1 February 2022???????) (DOI https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5772616, Bijl, 2021). version 1.0 includes >8500 entries the first occurrences (collectively called “events”) >1900 taxa their absolute ties timescale Gradstein et al. (2012). Entries derived from 199 publications 188 sections. interpolates paleolatitudes events, allowing evaluation paleolatitudinal variability event ages. allows open accessibility searchability, based on region, taxon. This paper presents selection data DINOSTRAT: (1) (paleo)latitudinal spread evolutionary history modern species, (2) patterns (sub)families, (3) key which particularly synchronous. Although several show at resolution calibration quasi-synchronous ages, fact many species have remarkable diachroneity. provides storage approach by community can now start relate diachroneity inadequate timescales, complications taxonomic concepts, ocean connectivity and/or affinities environmental conditions.