Discovery of the Misellina Zone (latest Kungurian) in the Lentas unit of the Pindos Series (Crete)

Abstract

The origin and significance of the Lentas unit in southern Crete (Greece) is still subject to controversies. New stratigraphical and palaeontological results allow correlations with the classical Pindos-type series in Greece. In particular, new datings from reworked fossiliferous limestone pebbles within the Lentas unit are presented. These data concern especially the carbonate microfacies and carbonate microfossils from the latest Early Permian (i.e., from the late Kungurian Substage or Misellina Zone). For the first time in Greece, this period is recognized as being rich in foraminifers and calcareous algae. These fossils are described; especially, two dasycladales Likanella (?) cretae nov. sp. and Uragiellopsis bonneauii nov. sp. are established. The presence of these reworked Palaeotethyan sediments at the base of the Lentas unit suggests a derivation from the Palaeotethyan active margin (arc/fore-arc series).