Palynology of Tertiary sediments from Papua New Guinea. II. Gymnosperm pollen from upper Tertiary sediments

Abstract

Palynological investigations were carried out on 16 samples from a core of Iviri No. 1 Well in the Central Delta region of Papua New Guinea. The age range is from Upper Miocene to Recent. Nine species belonging to the genera Araucariacites, Podocarpidites, Lygisfepollenites (Dacrydiumites), Dacrycarpites, Microcachryidites, Trisaccites, Ginkgocycadophytus and Ephedra are described. Ginkogocycadophytus novaguineensis is described as new. The distribution of gymnosperms in the Neogene epoch in Australasia is discussed in the light of this fossil record.