The Late Triassic molluscs, conodonts, and brachiopods of the Kuta Formation, Papua New Gu

Late Norian to Rhaetian (Late Triassic) fossils from the Kuta Formation in Papua New Guinea's Central Highlands. The dataset includes identified specimens such as the conodont Misikella posthernsteini and the ammonite Arcestes cf. sundaicus, along with bivalves and brachiopods. It was aggregated by the Australian Ocean Data Network and last updated in May 2026.

Use Cases

• Dating Late Triassic marine formations based on the described conodont and brachiopod assemblages.
• Studying Tethyan provincial biogeography based on the fossil assemblage's described aspect.
• Analyzing marine sedimentation continuity in Papua New Guinea based on the described stratigraphic interpretation.
• Comparative taxonomic studies of specific genera like Clavigera based on its described distribution.

Strengths

• Provides a positive late Norian or Rhaetian age date for the Kuta Formation, clarifying local stratigraphy.
• Includes specific fossil identifications, such as Misikella posthernsteini and Arcestes cf. sundaicus.
• Describes the biogeographic significance of fossils with Tethyan and New Zealand/New Caledonian affinities.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic/temporal bias inherent to data_gov_au.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Fossil identification and description from geological fieldwork.

Time Range

Late Triassic (late Norian to Rhaetian)

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-04 23:37:01.289460; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Kuta Formation, Kubor Anticline, Central Highlands, Papua New Guinea