Maastrichtian to Paleocene dinocysts from the Clarence Valley, South Island, New Zealand

A palynological study of uppermost Maastrichtian to lower Paleocene marine strata from two stratigraphic sections in the Clarence Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand, revealed diverse organic-walled dinoflagellate cyst (dinocyst) assemblages. One hundred and twelve samples were investigated and 86 dinocyst species were identified, from the two sections studied: Branch and Mead streams. Nine new species are described herein: Cerodinium nielsii, Impagidinium agremon, I. cavea, I. crouchiae, I. hannahii, Lejeunecysta kammae, Pyxidinopsis epakros, P. everriculum and P. meadensis. Stratigraphic correlations are achieved using nine new index species and eight cyst acme intervals, named A to H, integrated with foraminiferal datums and the radiolarian zonation for the South Pacific. The first occurrence of Carpatella septata combined with a high relative abundance of Diconidinium martianum characterizes the interval directly below the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) boundary or uppermost part of the Manumiella druggii Z...