Eight climatic events can be distinguished in the Triassic–Jurassic (ca. 201 Ma) continental strata of Poland. These events are distinguished by kaolinite/illite ratio, chemical index of alteration (CIA), color of sediments, and palynomorphs. The first transition to wetter climate, evidenced by a shift from smectite- to kaolinite-dominated mudrocks, coincides with the earlier (“precursor”) Rhaetian negative δ 13 C org excursion, which means that the beginning of climate perturbations predates the oldest known Central Atlantic magmatic province flood basalts by some 100–200 k.y. The later global, late Rhaetian “initial” negative δ 13 C org excursion is divided into two subpeaks, each corresponding to hot and humid events, separated by a cooler and drier event. The upper subpeak is also associated with perturbation of the osmium isotope system (attributed to volcanic fallout), and darkened miospores, pointing to acid rains. Between the “initial” excursion and the Triassic-Jurassic boundary interval, five climatic fluctuations are inferred from the changing kaolinite/illite ratio, the last two of which are also associated with an Os isotope perturbation, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) occurrences, a “spore peak,” and darkened miospores. A series of periodic atmospheric loading events by CO 2 , CH 4 , or alternatively by SO 2 , sulfate aerosols, and toxic compounds, is inferred to have caused this series of rapid climatic reversals and resulting extinction of many less-adapted forms. Just above the palynofloral extinction level, appearance of new forms commenced Jurassic palynofloral recovery. Tetrapod evolution events in the end-Triassic–earliest Jurassic were related to the extinction of the Pseudosuchia, Dicynodontia, Capitosauroidea, Plagiosaroidea, and Rhynchosauria, while appearance of highly diversified tetrapod ichnofauna in the earliest Jurassic strata indicates a rapid recovery and refill of ecological niches by dinosaurs.

Abstract The Norwegian Arctic Svalbard archipelago is famous for its prolific record of Early–Middle Triassic vertebrate fossils. These represent mainly marine amniotes, together with sharks, bony fishes and temnospondyl amphibians, the latter providing an important faunal correlate with coeval assemblages from the Danish autonomous region of Greenland. However, substantial biostratigraphical gaps exist in the Upper Triassic strata of Svalbard, which are marked by pronounced facies shifts from marine to deltaic systems and intermittent depositional hiatuses. These are accompanied by a dearth of documented vertebrate remains, a notable exception being the partial skull of the capitosaurian Capitosaurus polaris and a few isolated stereospondylian intercentra probably from the middle–late Carnian De Geerdalen Formation of Spitsbergen. Reassessment of this material, which incorporates the only undisputed capitosaurian fossil from Svalbard, indicates affinity with Cyclotosaurus , known elsewhere from the late Norian–early Rhaetian Fleming Fjord Formation of Greenland. The Scandinavian Arctic temnospondyls constituted components of sympatric assemblages that inhabited the Boreal margin of Pangaea throughout the Triassic.