Abstract:
Triassic Radiolaria are documented from phosphatic nodules obtained from the Karoro Formation and Potiki Siltstone from Kaka Point Structural Belt, Otago, New Zealand. There are abundant Glomeropyle and Spumellaria, and rare Nassellaria and Entactinaria. By comparison with radiolarian faunas from Japan, Thailand, European Tethys, and other Triassic strata in New Zealand, the Karoro Formation is correlated with upper Lower Triassic (Olenekian), older than the Potiki Siltstone. We believe that the fauna is strongly affected by non-Tethyan radiolarians based on the abundance of Glomeropyle, rare occurrence of Tethyan taxa, and the presence of many undescribed forms. Three new species are described herein: Glomeropyle bispinosa, G. campbelli, and Poulpus (?) caveaformis.