New taxa from the Niobrara Formation (Upper Cretaceous) of Kansas, USA.

Abstract

Introduction Intervals with well preserved nannofossils were studied from the Upper Turonian Lower Campanian Niobrara Formation of northwestern Kansas, USA. Extensive scanning electron microscopy of the samples yielded several new taxa, clusters of monospecific coccoliths which represent collapsed coccospheres, and the first truly cylindrical 'coccosphere' published from the fossil record. Covington ( 1985) provides discussion on the study area, clusters, and cylindrical forms. The purpose of this paper is to describe the new species observed in the study. New taxa described here include one genus, Watkinsia, and four species, Watkinsiapedalion,Biscutumdekaenelii,Biscutumzulloi, and Rotelapil/us applegatei. All type material is deposited at the Department of Geology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.A.