Clarence and Raukumara Series (Albian-?Santonian) Ammonoidea from New Zealand

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Abstract
A complete taxonomic survey of ammonites from the Clarence and Raukumara Series (Albian-?Santonian) is presented. Eleven new species, Anagaudryceras woodsi, Hamites (Hamites) kaiwhataensis, Turrilites (Turrilites) exutus, Hypoturrilites varians, Mariella (Mariella) thomsoni, Scaphites wellmani, S. vellai, Worthoceras parvum, W. costatum, W. johnstoni and Puzosia (Puzosia) bushgrovenis and a new subspecies, Scaphites equalis coverhamensis are erected. Anisoceras, Ammonoceratites, Idiohamites, Worthoceras, and authentic Hamites and Turrilites are recorded from New Zealand for the first time. New Zealand species of Worthoceras throw new light on the phylogenetic significance of this genus. Two formal ammonite zones, the Worthoceras parvum Assemblage Zone (lower Ngaterian) and the Scaphites equalis coverhamensis Assemblage Zone (upper Ngaterian) are established. Continued submersion of the Coverian Stage within the Ngaterian is advocated in spite of its distinctive ammonite assemblage. Relationships of the Clarence fauna to those of equivalent age known from other countries are briefly discussed. Correlation of the Clarence and Raukumara Series using ammonites is reviewed. The Motuan is, at least in part, of late Albian age, the lower Ngaterian is likely to be of latest Albian age and the upper Ngaterian is correlative with the Lower-Middle Cenomanian. The Arowhanan is in part Cenomanian but the remaining stages of the Raukumara Series cannot be accurately correlated with international divisions.

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