The Proteaceae record in New Zealand

Abstract

Proteaceae pollen appeared in New Zealand during the Late Cretaceous and increased in diversity until the Early–mid Eocene. Diversity then decreased, reducing to the present two species in the Early Pleistocene. Proteaceae macrofossils extend back to the Early Paleocene. Twelve parataxa of Proteaceae dispersed cuticle are documented. These include two new parataxa of unknown affinity from the Paleocene, and nine new parataxa from the Miocene and one previously recorded from Western Australia. Three of these are identified as species of Helicia, Macadamia and Musgravea, one has affinities with Gevuininae–Hicksbeachia, and one with Tribe Embothrieae.