Palynology of some lower tertiary coal measures in the Waihao district, South Canterbury, New Zealand

Abstract

A new species, Deflandrea longispinosa Dinophyceae, is described, and a species list of the microflora, which includes microplankton, spores, and pollen grains, given. The dinoflagellate genera Schematophora Defl. & Cooks., Hystrichokolpoma Klumpp, Cordosphaeridium Eisenack, Samlandia Eis., and Membranilarnacia Eis. are all recorded for the first time from New Zealand strata. The microfloral assemblage indicates a Pateocene or Lower Eocene age. The abundance and nature of the dinoflagellate cysts suggest that sediment accumulated in a marine or brackish environment. Two of the pollen species have strong subtropical or tropical affinities. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.