Upper Cretaceous nannofossils from ODP Leg 120

Correlation of this scheme from the pelagic sites to the neritic site indicates the applicability of this system to the sparse, restricted assemblages of the upper Campanian and lower Maestrichtian. Comparison of the Kerguelen assemblages with previous records indicates weak provincialism and little endemism in the Coniacian through early Campanian Southern Ocean. Strong provincial distinction with high endemism is typical of the late Campanian through Maestrichtian.

The change from weak to strong provincialism coincides with the mid-Campanian disconformity. The event marked or masked by this disconformity must have involved ecological decoupling of the Southern Ocean from more temperate surface-water masses. A new species, Zeugrhabdotus kerguelenensis, is named.