Ammonites from the Lower Bajocian (Middle Jurassic) beds of the classic locality of Bakonycsernye (Transdanubian Hungary), with special regard to the early otoitids and stephanoceratids

Abstract

New collecting from the Middle Jurassic beds of the classic Bakonycsernye locality yielded very rich ammonite assemblages from the topmost Aalenian and the Lower Bajocian. A single bed, called here the Ovale Bed gave a high diversity Fissilobiceras ovale Zone fauna, with several stratigraphically diagnostic species and rich representation of early otoitids and stephanoceratids. These latters include topotypes of species described in classic monographs from this place. Here the earliest otoitids and stephanoceratids, Docidoceras wysogorskii and Westermannites chocsinskyi, respectively, appear first in beds belonging into the Graphoceras concavum Zone. The type horizon of W. telegdirothi, the best-known stephanoceratid from Csernye, most probably is within the Hyperlioceras discites Zone. Two new species are described, the otoitid Trilobiticeras (Emileites) kecskemetii n.sp. and the stephanoceratid Mollistephanus ottiliae n.sp., both form the Ovale Bed. Faunal affinities and the early development of the Otoitidae and Stephanoceratidae are discussed.