Abstract

Quantitative analyses on calcareous nannofossils were carried out on 109 middle/late Miocene (Sarmatian/ Pannonian) samples from the section at Pécs-Danitzpuszta sand pit (Hungary). The lower part of the section, which can be assigned to the Sarmatian, contains normal marine low-diversity assemblages dominated by Calcidiscus leptoporus, Reticulofenestra pseudoumbilicus, Sphenolithus moriformis and Syracosphaera spp. accompanied by didemnid ascidian spicules (Perforocalcinela fusiformis). The middle/late Miocene (Sarmatian/Pannonian) boundary is characterized by the last occurrences of normal marine calcareous nannofossils. The upper part of the section (Pannonian) can be subdivided into intervals characterized by monospecific endemic nannofossils Isolithus spp. and ascidians, respectively. A short interval with common endemic coccoliths belonging to the family Noelaerhabdaceae (Bekelithella echinata, Noelaerhabdus bozinovicae, N. jerkovici, Praenoelaerhabdus banatensis) in the upper part of the profile was also documented. The drastic change in nannofossil assemblages at the Sarmatian/Pannonian boundary is a result of paleoenvironmental stress caused by the isolation of the Central Paratethys from the Eastern Paratethys.

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