Abstract
A previous study on calcareous nannofossils of the K/T boundary section exposed in the Geulhemmerberg cave, The Netherlands, revealed two coccosphere-rich horizons with about 35 different coccolithophorid species. In the subsequent investigation of an airshaft section above this interval, an additional horizon with numerous intact coccospheres was discovered. Among the 32 coccolithophorid species from this upper horizon, three are new: Cruciplacolithus filigranus n. sp., Prinsius scissuratus n. sp. and Prinsius simplex n. sp. The airshaft horizon is furthermore marked by a bloom of Braarudosphaera bigelowii (Gran and Braarud) Deflandre 1947, and Cyclagelosphaera rotaclypeata Bukry 1969. Due to the presence of Futyania petalosa (Ellis and Lohmann) Varol 1989 and Prinsius dimorphosus (Perch-Nielsen) Perch-Nielsen 1971 as the youngest biostratigraphical markers, this horizon can be assigned to the lower Paleocene upper Zone NP1, Biantholithus sparsus Zone. The simultaneous occurrence of several Cretaceous and Paleocene taxa can be explained either by reworking of Cretaceous material or by survivorship of Cretaceous coccolithophorid species.
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