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Mildenhall, D.C.; Pocknall, D.T. 1989 Miocene-Pleistocene spores and pollen from Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand. Lower Hutt: New Zealand Geological Survey. New Zealand Geological Survey paleontological bulletin 59 128 p.
Abstract: Pollen analyses of ten sequences through the Central Otago early to middle Miocene Manuherikia Group has demonstrated the existence of a number of different paleoenvironments and spore-pollen assemblages (palynofloras). Each locality contains a complex mixture of sedimentary types and a great diversity in the palynofloras reflecting a dynamic, constantly changing local terrestrial environment caused by a combination of tectonic activity, changing climatic patterns, fire, soil, parent material and sediment sources. An apparent break occurs in the sequence at Ranfurly and Gimmerburn between early and late Miocene with the younger spore-pollen assemblages resembling those at Lowburn from the late Miocene Maori Bottom Group. This group ranges up to early Pleistocene in age. The oldest sediments occur in the east of the study area around Gimmerburn and are of early Miocene age. The climate was warm temperate, humid, and possibly subjected to periodic drought. Fires were frequent in some areas, indicated by the abundance of charcoal in some samples. Stratigraphically significant taxa and the more common previously undescribed taxa obtained from surface sections, drillholes and grab samples are detailed in this bulletin. Five new genera and 88 species and other taxa are discussed. The new genera are Microalatidites, Gyropollis, Rubipollis, Quintiniapollis and Roxburghpollis. Twenty-two new species are described. ... In addition 24 species are newly combined and six species are given revised descriptions. Four biostratigraphic zones are recognised, based on the ranges of key taxa and the overall appearance of the spore-pollen assemblages. The two older zones were originally described from Southland, the two younger zones are new. ...
