Normapolles and triporate pollen assemblages from the Raritan and Magothy Formations (Upper Cretaceous) of New Jersey

Abstract

Abstract Of the palynological zones proposed for the Cretaceous System of the Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain, the species composition of zones IV, V, and VII are the least known. Previous studies have shown that zones IV, V, and VII occur within the Raritan and Magothy Formations of northern New Jersey. Therefore, in order to characterize the assemblages that constitute these zones, a principal coordinates analysis was run on the Normapolles and triporate pollen from selected lithologic units of the Raritan and Magothy Formations. Results of the analysis suggest the presence of four assemblage zones within this stratigraphic interval. The zones are formally named and described in this report. In ascending stratigraphic order, the zones are referred to as the Complexiopollis‐Atlantopollis Zone, the Complexiopollis exigua‐Santalacites minor Zone, the Pseudoplicapollis longiannulata‐Plicapollis incisa Zone, and the ?Pseudoplicapollis cuneata‐Semioculopollis verrucosa Zone. The nominate species of these zones ...