LATE CRETACEOUS MOLLUSCA FROM THE CHATHAM ISLANDS, NEW-ZEALAND

The Cretaceous Mollusca (Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Scaphopoda) from the Ch atham Islands, New Zealand consists of a moderately diverse faunule of 37 species in the Kahuitara Tuff of Pitt Island. At least 16 (c.43%) of the taxa are conspecific with mainland New Zealand species and at l east 15 (c.41%) taxa are endemic to Chatham Islands. New species propo sed are Crenella n. sp., Chlamys (Lyriochlamys) n. sp., Chlamys s. l. n. sp., Camptonectes n. sp., Eburneopecten freneixae n. sp., Dimyodon n. sp., Purpurocardia n. sp., Lahillia n. sp., Solyma flemingae n. sp. , Brookula s.l. n. sp., Calliomphalus s. l. n. sp., Pyrgulifera kahuit ara n. sp., and Ageria? n. sp. Most taxa (c.41%) are epifaunal suspens ion feeding bivalves and dominate the Cretaceous macrofauna. Less domi nant are infaunal suspension feeding bivalves (30%). Epifaunal browser s (c.14%), deposit feeders (8%) and carnivores (5%) are minor componen ts. An open marine, shallow shelf environment is advocated. A latest C retaceous (Campanian?-Maastrichtian) age is supported for the Kahuitar a Tuff macrofossils.