Neogene palynomorphs from the Huon peninsula, Papua New Guinea

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Abstract
Palynological analysis of outcropping claystones and shales from three low‐grade coal occurrences in the Pindiu area, central Huon Peninsula of Papua New Guinea, discloses well‐preserved and generally similar assemblages of spores and pollen grains. These occurrences are from within incompletely known but dominantly marine strata considered to range in age from early Miocene to Pliocene. A total of 25 form‐specific categories of spore‐pollen palynomorphs are recognizable in the assemblages, together with one type ("grade") of epiphyllous fungal “germling”;. One new genus, Scolocyamus, typified by S. magnus sp. nov., is established, as are the following new species: Biretisporites huonensis, Baculatisporites scabridus, Matonisporites mulleri, Conver‐rucosisporites ponderosus, Perfotricolpites maculosus, Rostria‐pollenites robustus, and Margocolporites tricuneatus. Botanical alliances of the dispersed palynomorphs are mainly with the ferns, among which several families, including the Poly‐podiaceae and Blechnaceae (extant genus Stenochlaena), are represented. A variety of angiospermous groups is also represented, but gymnospermous elements are minimal. Despite the evidently close stratigraphic association with marine deposits, the palynofloras themselves contain no obvious forms of marine derivation. The assemblages appear to represent the autochthonous products of tropical freshwater swamp vegetation of seemingly low diversity.