Foraminifera from the subsurface Miocene of Wreck Island, Queensland

Abstract

Foraminiferal faunas from the Miocene limestones, sandstones and siltstones penetrated by HBR No . 1 Bore (530-1795 feet) have been studied; the "smaller" foraminifera in some detail. The sequence is overlain disconformably by Recent-Pleistocene limestones and sandstones (0-530 feet). The Wreck Island faunas afford an important link between the biostratigraphically significant "larger''and planktonic foraminifera. The occurrence of Lepidocyclina (Nephrolepidina) enables correlation with the “F" Stage of Indonesia and with the New Zealand sequence. Globoquadrina altispira altispira (Cushman and Jarvis) appears immediately above, associated with Orbulina universa d'Orbigny and Globorotalia menardii menardi (d'Orbigny). This part of the sequence can thus be correlated with the sequences in Trinidad, Venezuela and Victoria. The occurrence of Globigerina mayeri (Cushman and Ellison) and Pulleniatina praeobliguiloculata n.sp . enables part of the sequence above to be correlated with Trinidad, Venezuela, Victoria, Indonesia and Saipan, Mariana Islands. Correlation Tables 3 and 4 set out these correlations. Selected species have been discussed or described and illustrated. The following species are new : Textularia granulifera, Angulogerina capricornica, Operculina praevictoriensis, Parrellina heronica, Parrellina reticulata, Pulleniatina praeobliguiloculata.