Revision of Hutchinsonian, Awamoan, and Altonian Stages (Lower Miocene, New Zealand)—1

Abstract

Usages of Hutchinsonian, Awamoan and Altonian Stages are traced. The validity of foraminiferal criteria for the stages is reviewed. Those for the Hutchinsonian: Awamoan and Awamoan:Altonian boundaries appear to be unsatisfactory when compared with trends in Haeuslerella and Globigerinoides. There is partial overlap amongst name bearers for the stages. Proposals to emend the classification will be made in a subsequent paper.