The samples, provided by ODP, were collected aboard ship during Leg 178, and we thank all the members of the sample shifts. This research was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council, U.K. The Centre for Palynology at the University of Sheffield and Mr. S. Ellin are thanked for providing facilities and for supervision of sample processing. We thank Dr. P.F. Barker for encouragement to go ahead with this work and one anonymous referee for helpful comments on the paper.